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More American travelers say 'konnichiwa' as damaged yen beckons

American travelers headed for Japan have risen this year, tempted by a depression in the worth of the yen, which is also driving an enormous dive in foreign financier interest in the nation's lodgings market.

The number of Americans arriving in Japan by air crossed more than 900,000 in the first 5 months of 2024, climbing up 17.4% year-over-year and rising 35.5% from 2019 before the pandemic, the International Trade Administration information revealed.

While bottled-up travel demand given that completion of the pandemic has also contributed, the Japanese currency's current plunge to a. 38-year low to the U.S. dollar has actually been a key factor, as it. boosts the spending power of American tourists.

Because the end of the pandemic, need has been expanding. throughout the Asia-Pacific, attracting travelers from China, as. well as long-haul visitors from North America with more. Americans deciding to take a trip worldwide.

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

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

Cross-border investments in the market can be found in at $1.38. billion in the first half of this year, up 19.2% from the exact same. period of 2023, and 176.3% compared to the first half of 2019,. according to MSCI data.

A number of U.S.-based hotels such as Marriott, Hilton. , Hyatt and Choice have actually been broadening. their footprint in Japan by partnering with regional real estate. and hospitality companies.

When someone who does not understand much about Japan checks out the. country for the very first time, they may be more inclined to book. with a familiar name, stated Wanping Aw, a travel agent in Tokyo.

Short-term rentals giant Airbnb reported a 130%. increase in nights reserved by American guests in Japan in 2023. from a year earlier.

Airlines are also moving in tandem with this pattern, including. more seats in between the U.S. and Japan.

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

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

(source: Reuters)