1-1.Japanese Economic Trend (released in May 2009)

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1-2. Number of Japanese Overseas Travelers in May 2009

Japan National Tourist Organization announced that the total number of Japanese overseas travelers in May 2009 was 1,032,000, an 18.6% decrease over May 2008.
For April, an increase in Japanese visitor arrival is seen only with Korea (+7.4%), as a result of depreciation of Korean Won against Japanese Yen. A continuous decrease was seen in the Japanese arrival to Canada (-48.4%), Australia (-24.0%), New Zealand (-41.8%), and some countries in Asia; China (-15.0%), Hong Kong (-26.4%), and Singapore (-29.9%). Swine flue (H1N1), coupled with declined personal income, discouraged Japanese to travel overseas to reduce Japanese international traffic in May and after.

Narita International Airport reported that the number of Japanese departures in May 2009 was 550,673 down 20.5% from the same month of the year before. Kansai International Airport recorded 208,905, (-21.3%), and Central Japan International Airport 106,546, (-25.2%).

Number of Japanese Overseas Travelers by Destinations March to May 2009

**nges % = vs. the same month of the year before
*Figures not available
Source: Japan Tourism Marketing Co, and JNTO

Number of Japanese Overseas Travelers by Departure Airport (May. 2009）

1-3. Number of Inbound Travelers in May 2009

According to the JNTO, the number of international visitors for May 2009 was 486,100, a 34.0% sharp fall from the same period of the previous year. Following factors continue to deter the tourist traffic to Japan; financial crises, the depreciation of major foreign currencies against JPY and additionally, the spread of swine flu in Japan. An increase of tourist arrival was only seen with France (+1.1%). From Korea, visitor arrival to Japan was down 48.5% from May 2008, Taiwan -47.9%, China -34.0%, and Singapore -40.8%. The recent depreciation of KRW against JPY remains to be a discouraging factor for Koreans to visit Japan.

Number of Inbound Travelers by Destinations March to May 2009

Source: JNTO

1-4. Gross Sales of Major Companies (Outbound Travel Products)

Gross sales in outbound travel of the top 50 travel companies were approximately 137 billion JPY in May 2009. It has decreased by 33.8% from the same month of the previous year largely due to the concern for swine flu (N1H1). Gross sales of outbound package tours in May 2009 were 49.8 billion JPY, decreased by 19.1% from the year ago, while total number of tourists on package tours decreased by 9.1%.

Chart 1: Major Wholesalers Sales (May. 2009)

KNT: Kinki Nippon Tourist, NTA: Nippon Travel Agency, HEI: Hankyu Express International,
TOP: Toptour Corporation (formerly Tokyu Tourist Corporation)

Chart 2: Gross Sales of the Top 50 Travel Companies　 (May. 2009)

Chart3: Gross Sales of Package Tours 　(May. 2009)

Chart4: Per Person Sales　 (May. 2009)