Japan Begins a Tourism Promotion Campaign in Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) – On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) in Vietnam launched a campaign to promote Japanese tourism in the Southeast Asian country on November 15. (1973–2023).

The “Nhi Thang family,” which includes renowned singer Dong Nhi, businessman Ong Cao Thang, and their daughter Winnie, is appointed as Japan tourism ambassadors during this campaign.

Takio Yamada, the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, believes the campaign will increase Vietnamese people’s desire to visit Japan and create momentum for the 50th anniversary next year.

According to Pham Van Thuy, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, an increasing number of Japanese people are visiting Vietnam and vice versa.

In the first nine months of 2022, Vietnam welcomed 2.1 million foreign tourists, nearly 97,000 of whom were Japanese.

A variety of activities will be held to encourage more Japanese tourists to visit the Southeast Asian country, according to the JNTO.

 

 

Source : vietnamplus

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Taiwan will Accept Group Tours from Japan, South Korea, and SE Asia

Tourism of Taiwan Bureau anticipates that tourists from Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia will be among the first to visit the country when it opens its borders in late September or early October. In an interview with Mirror Media, Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) head Victor Wang predicted that the current wave of infections would peak and then begin to decline between late September and early October. Wang predicted that border controls would be relaxed in late September, or early October at the latest.

Tourism Bureau Deputy Director-General Lin Hsin-jen said at a press conference on Friday (Aug. 26) that guidelines for the entry of foreign tourists have been submitted to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), but it is still reviewing the details, according to Rti. Lin stated that the tourism industry is preparing and waiting for the go-ahead, and that once the schedule is announced, the country will be able to begin welcoming tourists.

According to Lin, the plan is to allow incoming tour groups first, followed by outbound group tours later. Lin stated that when it comes to opening up the country to tourism, there are two major considerations. One is medical capacity, and the other is that travel agencies require time to prepare before the borders open. Lin explained that tour travel routes will need to be adjusted in response to pandemic changes.

Lin stated that some restaurants and scenic spots, for example, are closed due to the pandemic and will take time to prepare to reopen. Lin stated that because international marketing requires at least one to two months of preparation, he hopes the CECC can give tour companies some time to prepare.

He stated that the Tourism Bureau is initially considering opening up to inbound group tours, whereas fully independent travelers (FITs) will require visas, which will be determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ plan. Furthermore, Lin stated that Japan is the primary target for inbound tourists because Japan used to send over 2 million people to Taiwan each year, with a relatively high level of consumption.

Lin described Japanese tourists as the primary target market, but tourists from South Korea and Southeast Asia will also be targeted early on. Lin believes that “after the pandemic ends,” tourists from these markets will look to travel further abroad, which will benefit Taiwan.

According to a Tourism Bureau official, Taiwan’s advantage is its ability to provide European and North American tourists with the opportunity to explore new cultures. Lin explained that during the pandemic, “maintenance” was the primary focus, but that once the pandemic is over, marketing will resume in full force.

Lin mentioned the Taiwan-Japan Tourism Summit and the Taiwan-Vietnam Tourism Summit as upcoming international tourism promotion events. Furthermore, he predicts that as Taiwan opens up to inbound tourism, many travel agencies and media outlets will be looking for opportunities.

However, Lin cautioned that the influx of foreign tourists would be gradual. Lin stated that after the borders are opened, the number of tourists will gradually increase, using inbound Japanese tour groups as an example.

 

Source : taiwannews

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Japan will Relax Restrictions in order to Boost Tourism

Japan plans to relax some of the strict travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic. However, many in the tourism industry are urging the government to remove all restrictions immediately.

The country currently has some of the most stringent travel regulations in Asia. Tourists from more than 100 countries are currently only permitted to enter Japan on group tours. To travel, passengers must pass COVID-19 tests and meet other temporary requirements.

Citizens of visa-exempt countries must now apply for a visa before traveling to Japan. However, after receiving very few tourists during the first half of summer 2022, the Japanese government has decided to take a step toward relaxing travel restrictions. According to the Immigration Services Agency, only about 8,000 foreign visitors visited Japan in June and July.

Japan introduced the new eVisa for US and Canadian citizens in an effort to boost tourism. Although visa exemptions remain suspended, this move makes it faster and easier for Americans and Canadians to travel to Japan. The visa application can be completed online rather than visiting an embassy. This digital service also has a faster response time.

Despite this initiative to boost tourism, there is growing pressure from both within and outside the country to do more. Japan’s economy has struggled all year, though it has performed better than expected in recent months. Many in the tourism industry are urging the government to relax all entry restrictions in order to encourage tourists to visit and spend money, thereby boosting the economy.

COVID-19 travel regulations for Japan

Japan’s coronavirus travel restrictions are among the most stringent in Asia. Although the country began to de-escalate its measures in 2021, the arrival of the Omicron variant prompted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to reverse course and re-close the borders.

Despite pressure to reopen the borders to international travel throughout the first half of 2022, Kishida waited until June 1. Even then, only long-term visitors, business travelers, and students with the proper visas were permitted. Tourists can only visit Japan as part of an authorized package tour.

Other constraints remain. The maximum number of visitors per day is 20,000. Passengers who have spent more than 14 days in certain countries are barred from entering Japan. Many pre-pandemic visas have been rendered invalid. Those who are permitted to travel to Japan must first pass a COVID-19 test, fill out a “Quarantine Questionnaire,” and install the “MySOS” app on their phones.

Visa exemption is granted to nationals of certain countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Argentina, and all EU countries, under normal circumstances. This means they only need their passports, not visas, to visit the eastern Asian country on vacation.

Visa exemptions, however, are currently suspended due to COVID-19. Visitors from these countries must now apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy.The availability of eVisa applications for Americans and Canadians is a small step toward resuming travel. However, as the situation improves and the need to boost tourism grows, the Japanese government is likely to continue de-escalating measures.

Japan Tourism 2022

Travel restrictions have had a significant impact on Japanese tourism this year. With arrivals still limited to 20,000 and tourists limited to group tours, 2022 was always going to be a challenging year for the tourism industry. However, only about 8,000 people visited the country in June and July. According to Japan’s Immigration Services Agency, only 252 foreign tourists arrived in June, while 7,900 arrived in July.

This is a fraction of the figures seen in other eastern Asian countries such as Vietnam. According to some Japanese officials, one of the main reasons for these low numbers is that China is currently restricting its own citizens from traveling abroad. China’s tourists flock to Japan. Other significant factors are likely to include Japan’s own policies and anti-COVID-19 measures.

European and American tourists prefer to plan their own vacations rather than join group tours. With additional requirements such as COVID-19 tests and visas, getting to Japan now takes much more effort than it did before the pandemic. This is likely discouraging visitors.

Despite this, tourist numbers continue to rise. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, approximately 8,500 foreign visitors have applied for visas with plans to arrive before the end of August.

 

source : breakingtravelnews

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Post Pandemic, Tourism Industry in Japan Expects For More Sustainable Growth

Tourism industry in Japan reached 4.8 trillion yen ($34.5 billion at the current currency rate) in 2019 – greater than the export value of several of Japan’s major industrial sectors, such as electronic components (4 trillion yen) and steel (34.5 billion at the current conversion rate) (3.1 trillion yen). Then, visitors had been wiped out after more than two years of severe epidemic restrictions.

Experts believe Japan now has a chance to determine what kind of destination it wants to be as it takes modest measures toward recovering the industry. It could also alleviate some of the issues that arose during the first boom. Unknown places such as Hachinohe could play a significant role.

For the time being, the focus is on when Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would reopen the borders and capitalize on the assets that propelled Japan to the top of the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Travel & Tourism Development Index, which was released in May. The World Economic Forum praised the country’s cultural treasures and airport infrastructure.

Kishida’s government began admitting tourists on escorted group trips in June. The prime minister has not committed to further loosening the regulations, and a surge in COVID-19 cases to record levels throws skepticism on a quick turnaround.

According to experts, the influx of visitors visiting Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo overwhelmed local residents. Kyoto’s tranquil temples and shrines, for example, were frequently thronged by selfie-taking visitors.

At the same time, the rest of the country received little benefit.According to a 2019 Japan Tourism Agency poll, 47 percent of visitors stopped in Tokyo and 39 percent in Osaka. However, for over half of the country’s 47 prefectures, the figure was 1% or less. Only 0.7 percent of those polled visited Aomori Prefecture.

According to Joseph Cheer, a professor at Wakayama University’s Center for Tourism Research, the government should go beyond prominent sites and prepare other destinations to deal with tourism industry in the post-COVID age.

English training for personnel at information centers and traditional ryokan inns, for example, or financial incentives for entrepreneurs to encourage rural tourism, according to Cheer

Aside from border limitations, researchers believe COVID-19 has impacted tourism industry in ways that will last long after the pandemic is ended.

Source :  Nikkei Asia

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