Japan’s travel trade is seeing increased sales of outbound trips this summer, with more consumers choosing to travel overseas compared to last year.
JTB Corp., the country’s largest travel agent, expects some 2.4 million people to travel abroad for at least one night between July 15 and August 31, equating to an increase of 21 per cent over the same period last year. Average traveller spend is estimated at 289,000 yen (US$1,961), six per cent more than in summer 2024.
More Japanese travellers are heading abroad this summer, with Europe, South Korea and Hawaii among the top destinations; Haneda airport, pictured
HIS Group, meanwhile, reports an 8.2 per cent rise in bookings year-on-year for overseas trips between July 19 and August 31, with an average cost increase per booking of seven per cent.
The trend is being driven by increased flight capacity, a stronger yen and larger-than-usual summer bonuses. Public and private sector campaigns to encourage overseas travel – such as gift certificates, discounted fares and subsidies for new passports – are also supporting outbound sales, according to agents.
Among this year’s summer destinations, Europe and South Korea are the most popular with JTB customers, each accounting for 17 per cent of bookings, followed by Taiwan and Southeast Asia at 14 per cent each. The company has also recorded a rise in bookings for Hawaii compared to the same period last year.
Similarly, HIS said Seoul, Taipei and Honolulu remain top choices for its clients this summer. However, strong growth has also been seen in emerging destinations such as Cairo, Shanghai and Barcelona.
AloJapan.com