"The announcement by the Prime Minister of Japan is a big boost to the recovery of the country’s travel and tourism sector. Japan’s easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions has been slow to-date and lags those of other countries in the region. This has hampered a full-fledge recovery. Lifting visa requirements for entry and the daily arrival cap are eagerly awaited, and will pave the way for the freer movement of business and leisure travelers into Japan," commented Philip Goh, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific.
"We can expect a surge in travel to Japan as pent up demand has been welling up over time. Japan is a very popular choice destination for many people and will benefit from the return of visitors, as we have also seen when border measures were eased in other markets. It will be crucial for the entire aviation value chain in Japan to be well prepared and adequately resourced to handle the expected surge of inbound visitors. We must avoid the travel disruptions and problems seen in the major hubs in Europe and the US by being better prepared for a robust upswing."
