Japan tourism expo returns with fewer visitors, but sector remains upbeat as travel curbs ease

The country’s reopening has buoyed optimism for exhibitors at the Tourism Expo Japan, including those from Hong Kong and China

But a weak yen and surging fuel surcharges on flights could continue to keep Japanese travellers home

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Foreign tourists walk through Nakamise Street at Asakusa, in downtown Tokyo. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:30am, 4 Oct 2022Updated: 8:38am, 4 Oct 2022

Tourism Expo Japan 2022, Asia’s biggest travel show before Covid-19 decimated the industry, drew fewer visitors than in previous years but exhibitors remained upbeat as they sought to attract Japanese tourists to destinations including Hong Kong and mainland China.

The industry’s sense of optimism had improved significantly with Japan’s announcement that from October 11, it will do away with the 50,000 cap on daily overseas arrivals and resume visa-free travel.

Speaking at a press conference in New York on September 22, the first day of the four-day event, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Japan was bringing its border control measures in line with the rest of the Group of Seven nations. Kishida was in New York to address the UN General Assembly.

Tourism Expo Japan 2022, Asia’s biggest travel show before Covid-19 decimated the industry, saw fewer visitors than previous years’ editions but that failed to put a damper on exhibitors. Photo: Kyodo

That was music to the ears of Kazunori Hori, regional director of the Japan market for the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), who said the number of people making inquiries at the expo’s HKTB booth was similar to the scale of interest in 2018.

“Queries from visitors were focused on the current entry requirements for Hong Kong, including the new ‘0+3’ arrangement, as well as new experiences and offerings for tourists,” he told This Week in Asia.

Under the “0+3” quarantine rule announced by the Hong Kong government in late September, new arrivals are no longer subject to compulsory quarantine.

“The new ‘0+3’ requirements allow greater convenience and flexibility for travellers and we expect to initially mainly attract business travellers and family visitors,” Hori said, adding that the bureau is planning a series of new initiatives to attract more Japanese visitors back to Hong Kong.

Travellers arrive at Hong Kong’s international airport after the compulsory quarantine is lifted. Photo: AFP

Japan tourism expo returns with fewer visitors, but sector remains upbeat as travel curbs ease

The country’s reopening has buoyed optimism for exhibitors at the Tourism Expo Japan, including those from Hong Kong and China But a weak yen and surging fuel surcharges on flights could continue to keep Japanese travellers home

The country’s reopening has buoyed optimism for exhibitors at the Tourism Expo Japan, including those from Hong Kong and China

But a weak yen and surging fuel surcharges on flights could continue to keep Japanese travellers home