Visa-free Japan wins Thai travellers

BANGKOK  Thailand’s outbound travellers have pushed the country into the top 10 source markets for travel to Japan during the first eight months of the year, according to Japan National Tourism Organisation data.
JNTO reported that during January to August this year, Thai travellers made 402,900 trips to Japan, up 57.5% over the same period last year. The increase has been attributed to Japan’s liberal visa-free travel rules for Thai leisure travellers.
Thailand ranked sixth of the top 10 list. The top five markets were: Taiwan (1,900,100; +29.9%); South Korea (1,777,900; -0.1%); China (1,542,400; +84.0%); the United States (593,100; +11.7%); and Hong Kong (587,200; +19.1%).
inside no 1Australia followed Thailand in seventh place with 188,300 visits, an increase of 18.8%. Other markets were: Malaysia (142,300; +54.0%), the United Kingdom (139,700; +11.4%), and Singapore (119,200; +15.3%).
For the first eight months of the year, Japan attracted 8,637,800 international tourists up 25.8% over the same period last year.
The Thai Travel Agents Association believes travel to Japan could reach 1 million within the next two to three years.
TTAA president, Suparerk Soorangura, said earlier in the year, that Japan continues to be a top destination for Thais.
“If the Japanese government continues to allow visa-free travel, it could boost travel to 1 million.”
A visa-free stays of up to 15 days was introduced by the Japanese government 1 July last year.
This year should close with 600,000 visits, based on projections by outbound travel firms. Last year, Thais made 453,642 trips representing a whopping 74.0%.
The main drivers for the strong growth in travel to Japan is the visa-free facility, followed by the destination’s mix of modern and traditional attractions, its cleanliness and food that Thais can adapt to easily and appreciate.
Japan is far outstripping the popularity of European destinations where travel is hampered by visa restrictions, long time-consuming flights, terrorist threats and generally a lack of genuine hospitality and value for money.
In addition, air fares have fallen to Japan as low-cost airlines compete with full-service airlines.
Since 1 September, low-cost, long-haul airline Thai AirAsia X operates direct flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport) to Japan’s Tokyo Narita International Airport and Osaka Kansai International Airport.
The airline flies daily to Tokyo Narita International Airport and intends to increase two daily services by 26 March next year.
Also flight from Bangkok to Osaka Kansai International Airtport will increase from five days per week to daily, 26 March.

sourced:ttrweekly.com