Back In A Big Way

Let the celebration begin because Japan is back and it’s back in in a big way. After the devastating tsunami and subsequent nuclear reactor crisis that scared tourists away in 2011, Japan has made a remarkable recovery and last year it welcomed a record 10,364,000 foreign visitors — that’s a staggering 124% increase over 2012, according to City of Tokyo Tourism officials.

The Canadian market was part of that visitor resurgence posting an impressive 24% increase, with 152,000 Canadians travelling to Japan. And clearly tourism officials are confident that they’ll see further increases in the number of Canadians visiting Japan.

“The growth will continue. Canadians have a great passion about Japan,” observed Athena Ho of the Japan National Tourism Organization’s Canadian office.

One reason for her optimism is upcoming increased Canada-Japan air links, and Japan Airlines deciding to use one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners on its Tokyo/Narita-Vancouver route. JAL’s 787 daily operation on Vancouver-Tokyo (Narita) route will start in April, with the airline using the aircraft to link the two cities once a week in February and March. JAL was the first carrier to begin using a Dreamliner — which generated much excitement in the aviation industry when it debuted — on a Canadian route.

For more on this story, check out this week’s issue of Canadian Travel Press by going to https://www.travelpress.com/subscription/IDEA/100814_022414_ctp .