SYDNEY – Australian arrivals to Japan during October 2009 increased 9.3 percent on 2008 figures, according to a preliminary report released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
The total Australian arrivals for the October 2009 period was 19,900 compared with 18,200 for the same period last year.
Australia is the sixth major Japan inbound market ahead of the UK, Thailand, Canada and France and behind South Korea, China, Taiwan, USA and Hong Kong.
The JNTO report said a number of factors, including the appreciation of the Australian dollar against the yen, special airfare sales, and an increase in media promotions targeting the Australian market are considered to have contributed to the increase in Australians travelling to Japan.
The Australian dollar has been making a steady recovery with one dollar now worth around 80 yen compared to around 60 yen at the same time last year.
Furthermore, with the launch of the Visit Japan Year 2010 Campaign – a marketing effort aimed at increasing travellers to Japan and achieving Japan’s goal of 10 million international visitors by 2010 – JNTO is optimistic that Australian arrivals will continue to increase, especially with Japan’s ski season beginning shortly.
The figures released by JNTO are based on arrivals of Australian passport holders and include business, leisure, and stopover visitors.
