A weaker yen, high airfares and tepid wage growth are keeping outbound travel stuck well below pre-pandemic levels. Just 1.22 million ventured abroad in March, 36.8 percent less compared with the same period in 2019, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Meanwhile, a record number of tourists visited the island nation last month.
Hatoya was a popular seaside destination during Japan’s postwar economic boom. It’s now enjoying a rebound after being overshadowed by glitzier resorts at home and abroad. Interest in local destinations has translated into a recovery in Japanese travelers’ spending within the country to pre-pandemic levels, to ¥21.9 trillion in 2023, government data showed. Along with robust inbound demand, with a record 3.1 million tourists visiting Japan in March, that’s driving up hotel prices to levels that haven’t been seen in three decades.
ANA is filling more seats on domestic routes during Golden Week, with the load factor up 3.8 percentage points from a year earlier. International flights showed a 0.9 point dip, according to reservation data from Japan’s biggest airline.