- Australian tourists visiting Japan has increased by a phenomenal 170% over the last five years according to passenger data from Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO)
- Skyscanner Australia reveals that bookings to Japan in 2018 are already 35% higher than the first half of last year
- Skyscanner Australia also found that booking to alternative arrival airports could save Aussies more than $300 on flights
- Skyscanner Australia launches “Experience Japan” micro-site to help growing number of Aussies save and visit Japan in style
JULY 3rd, 2018 – Skyscanner Australia, the all-in-one travel app, has today revealed new passenger data that points to Japan as the fastest growing destination for Australian tourists so far in 2018.
These new findings mark the launch of “Experience Japan”, a clever micro-site that gives Aussies the inside track on what land of the rising sun really has to offer. City guides, money saving tricks, best airports to fly to and tips to find Japan’s best hidden gems, the micro-site will allow travelling Aussies the chance to experience Japan the best way possible.
With more than 440,0001 Aussies choosing to visit in 2017 – a 12% increase on 2016 – desire for trips to Japan only continues to grow, with bookings for 2018 are already an impressive 35% higher than the first half of last year.
Australian Visitors
The number of Australian tourists visiting Japan has increased by an incredible 170% over the last five years1. The total number of overall visitors surpassed 20 million in 2016, and with key global events like the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympic Games, Japanese officials expect to hit a huge 40 million tourists in 20202.
Sustained promotion by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is one of the key drivers behind phenomenal growth in Australians travelling to Japan. Japan’s strength and appeal as a travel destination lies in our difference – we can offer experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in the world, like eating yakitori in a lane-way bar and chatting with locals, soaking in a natural hot-spring with a view of Mt Fuji or even hiking along an ancient trail and visiting beautifully preserved post towns.
Kana Wakabayashi, Executive Director, Japan National Tourism Organization Sydney
When To Book And How To Save
Japan has become a standout destination for Australian holiday makers and our new micro-site will help showcase how astonishing and accessible the destination can be. Japan boasts some incredible sights and with this obvious demand for flights, we wanted to offer Aussies the best possible tips, travel suggestions and opportunities to save some dollars.
Michael Grierson, Travel Expert, Skyscanner Australia
With Tokyo ninth on the global most visited cities list, Skyscanner has also examined local patterns in overseas visits to Japan and noted December and January as the most popular time for Australians to fly.
Savings for Aussie travellers can also be easily secured by simply considering alternative airports for arrival into Japan. A flight from Sydney to Osaka offers an estimated saving of $97 on arrival into Tokyo, and the same flight departing from Brisbane could save holiday-makers an incredible $319. Findings point toward additional searches or research into arrival cities will help Australians reduce overall holiday cost.
From piecing together thousands of flight connections between Australia and Japan, Skyscanner can also reveal a handy “Best Time to Book” for those wanting to save on flight bookings in the future.
Places To Visit
With Tokyo taking top spot as the most visited city, travellers are also encouraged to look elsewhere to experience countless other Japanese delights. Modern port city Osaka offers an alternative nightlife and busy restaurant scene; Okinawa an island famous for its warm climate and pristine beaches; Aomori the northernmost prefecture of Japan that offers Aussies an off-the-beaten track experience. For further information on the wonders of Japan, the “Experience Japan” microsite will be live to offer new tips, suggestions and hints to book the perfect Japanese getaway.
Flight deals to Japan and countless other destinations across the world are available to book now at Skyscanner.com.au. Be sure to keep up to date with all things Skyscanner by downloading the official mobile app, available on all smartphone app stores now.
Disclaimer
- Overseas Residents’ Visits to Japan, Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO)
- Forecasted tourist arrivals to Japan by 2020, South China Morning Post
Special thanks to Japan National Tourism Organisation
