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Japan has become a popular destination for tourists, with the U.S. Tourism Bureau saying more than 3 million international visitors have visited the country each month since March. News Channel CNBC.
There are several reasons for the popularity. The director of strategy and investment at Southeast Asian travel app Traveloka said the Japanese government deserves praise for the rise in popularity. Joydeep Chakraborty.
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“The government has long been committed to making Japan a top tourist destination through tourism promotion efforts such as improving the tourist experience and simplifying travel procedures for international tourists,” Chakraborty said.
The depreciation of the yen has also increased the country’s appeal in the eyes of international tourists.
A lot of people.
In Japan, the streets are already busy enough due to the development of tourism. Street view of Asakusa in Tokyo.
Sender: Zhen Shanjunzheng
The current growth rate significantly exceeds the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level in 2019 and is likely to bring record numbers of tourists this year.
In Japan, people have begun to talk about the challenges posed by “overtourism,” with huge crowds gathering around attractions such as Kyoto’s ancient temples.
Located in the city center.
Tokyo’s central shopping and cultural centers include the Ginza district in the city’s core. This view from Ginza’s main street in August.
Photo: Stanislav Koju
China’s tourism industry recovers slowly
In China, the situation is different. From January to July, the number of international tourists increased by 130% compared with the same period last year. However, the number of inbound tourists is significantly lower than the level before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2019, about 49.1 million people traveled to China. As of July this year, about 17.25 million tourists arrived.
Japan and China were the last countries to abandon COVID restrictions. Japan opened in October 2022 and China in January 2023.
However, China’s tourism industry has been slow to recover. One reason is the Chinese central government’s tightening control over society and rising geopolitical tensions, which are reflected in the country’s image.
Local culture.
Tourists walk along Qianmen Street in Beijing, China’s capital, in August. China’s tourism recovery is not much slower than Japan’s.
photo: Sheldon Cooper
US Think Tank Pew Research Center The report surveyed 35 different countries on their views on China. More than half of the countries in the study had a negative view of China.
The research report shows that people’s views are more negative, especially in high-income countries such as Australia, Japan and South Korea.
Suspicious action issues
China decides According to Il At the end of last year, an attempt was made to extend visa freedom until December 2023. For example, Italy, France and Germany can enter China visa-free for one year, that is, until December of that year.
Visa freedom may increase interest in traveling to China, but liquidity issues may cause hesitation as geopolitical tensions rise. China is moving more payment and booking systems online in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
souvenir.
A tourist photographed a street artist in Beijing in August. Like Japan, China has a cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years.
photo: Sheldon Cooper
So, for example, quickly buying a train ticket or booking tickets to a popular destination often requires using a native app, such as the WeChat Pay mobile payment service created by social media platform WeChat.
China needs a faster recovery in tourism and growing demand as its economy shows signs of freezing, according to forecasts by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). China’s real growth is falling Within five years, it will increase from 4.6% in that year to 3.3% in 2029.
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