Japan seeks more visitors despite overtourism woes
- Its goal of more than doubling the current number of tourists is well within reach, despite surging overtourism concerns, nation’s tourism chief says
Japan’s tourism chief said on Thursday its ambitious goal of luring 60 million foreign tourists a year – more than double the current level – is well within reach, despite surging overtourism concerns.
Ichiro Takahashi, head of Japan’s tourism agency, acknowledged the previously announced target of 60 million remains “tough”, but stressed it is within the realm of possibility.
“It is a figure that we can very much achieve by making the right efforts”, Takahashi told a briefing in Tokyo.
“There are still many little-known places in Japan that are left unexplored by tourists from overseas – I believe Japan has infinite tourism resources,” Takahashi said.
Over three million foreign tourists visited Japan for a third consecutive month in May, according to government statistics released on Wednesday.