Japan sees 21% growth in Indian visitors

THE number of Indian visitors to Japan registered 34,648 in the first half of 2012, a 21 per cent jump as compared to the same period last year, on the back of increased interest in Japan as a leisure destination.   

The Japan National Tourist Organisation (JNTO) confirmed a rise in total tourist arrivals until June, in what seems to be the first time numbers have increased since the tsunami and earthquake disasters hit Japan in March 2011.

There is increasing Indian interest in leisure travel to Japan, a destination that has thus far been  in the domain of Indian business travellers and some incentive groups. A few filmmakers have used Japanese locations for very popular Indian movies, some filming during the brief cherry blossom season.

Susrita Banerjee, managing director, Kolkata-based Faraway Places, said: “Tokyo, the shinkansen (bullet train) ride to Shizuoka to see Mount Fuji and the numerous onsen spas that dot the terrain are increasingly catching the fancy of Indian tourists. We expect higher growth in FIT and small groups this year and in 2013.”

Motonari Adachi, executive director, JNTO Singapore, said: “It is a remarkable development for JNTO and reassures that our marketing activities in India are in the right direction. India will continue to remain one of our key markets and we expect a sustained increase in the number of Indian visitors in the coming months.”

Izumi Sasamori, managing director of Tokyo-based Athteion, said: “Indians are discovering the diversity of Japan. They are exploring the big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, as well as venturing into the countryside with bilingual guides. The number of Indian tourists to Japan will grow very much in the next two years.”

Sourced: TTG Asia