Japan posts another record year for tourist arrivals
Japan chalked up another full-year tourism record for 2019, but is well down on its original target.
It leaves its much-vaunted 2020 target of 40 million well out of reach, even in Olympic year.
Japan welcomed a record high of 31.88 million in 2019, but that was only up 2.2%, according to tourism minister Kazuyoshi Akaba.
It has posted record highs in each of the last seven years but growth has dropped to single digits for the past two years.
The major factor is the trade and political spat with South Korea which has seen inbound tourism from there shrink by more than 65% since August.
South Korea previously accounted for about 20% of all inbound arrivals.
That has led to numerous routes between the two countries being either suspended or dramatically downsized.
Even with an expected bump during the Olympics travel agency JTB Corp. estimates 2020 international arrivals will only reach about 34.3 million.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps