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More American travelers head to Japan as battered yen beckons

American travelers headed for Japan have risen this year, enticed by a downturn in the worth of the yen, which is likewise driving a massive dive in foreign financier interest in the nation's accommodations market.

The variety of Americans showing up in Japan by air crossed more than 900,000 in the very first five months of 2024, climbing 17.4% year-over-year and rising 35.5% from 2019 before the pandemic, the International Trade Administration data revealed.

While suppressed travel need since the end of the pandemic has actually likewise contributed, the Japanese currency's current plunge to a. 38-year low to the U.S. dollar has been an essential factor, as it. increases the spending power of American tourists.

Given that the end of the pandemic, demand has actually been booming. throughout the Asia-Pacific, drawing in travelers from China, as. well as long-haul visitors from North America with more. Americans opting to travel worldwide.

The weakened yen compared to the U.S. dollar makes the. entire travel experience more inexpensive for American travelers,. said Tim Hentschel, CEO of travel bookings platform. HotelPlanner.

Foreign financial investments in the Japanese hotel market have likewise. seen a sharp spike.

Cross-border investments in the industry came in at $1.38. billion in the very first half of this year, up 19.2% from the same. period of 2023, and 176.3% compared to the first half of 2019,. according to MSCI information.

Numerous U.S.-based hotels such as Marriott, Hilton. , Hyatt and Option have been expanding. their footprint in Japan by partnering with regional realty. and hospitality companies.

When somebody who does not understand much about Japan visits the. country for the first time, they might be more likely to book. with a familiar name, said Wanping Aw, a travel representative in Tokyo.

Short-term leasings huge Airbnb reported a 130%. boost in nights booked by American visitors in Japan in 2023. from a year earlier.

Airline companies are also moving in tandem with this trend, adding. more seats between the U.S. and Japan.

Providers arranged about 1.5 million seats in between the 2. countries in June, July and August, a 9% increase from a year. earlier, according to information in May from online travel agency. Hopper.

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and. American Airlines Group have increased scheduled seat. capacity between the U.S. and Japan for the summertime by 19%, 10%. and 7%, respectively, Hopper data showed.

(source: Reuters)