Balancing Tourism and Sustainability in Japan

If you have not already been to Japan, it is probably on your bucket list. Japan is the most popular destination for international tourists. Travellers are great news for Japan's tourism industry. Japan's tourism industry is facing a significant problem with over-tourism as the country sees a surge in international visitors. While this is good news for the industry that suffered a significant setback during the pandemic, it has resulted in many issues for local businesses and residents.

The pandemic travel curbs resulted in a massive loss of revenue for the industry, falling from $215 billion in 2019 to $11.4 billion in 2020. However, two years later, foot traffic is gradually returning to normal, with 1.82 million visitors in March 2022, 34% lower than in March 2019. 

Despite the gradual recovery of the industry, the excessive influx of tourists has created numerous concerns for local businesses and residents. There are widespread labour shortages, with many restaurants and hotels struggling to keep up with the unrelenting demand from tourists. The pandemic has also made the situation worse, as many foreign workers have left the country, leaving many businesses with a shortage of staff.

Some local officials are taking action to address the issue. According to Japanese research companies, 77.8% of surveyed inns and hotels didn't have enough full-time employees, making it difficult to provide adequate service.

The over-tourism has also started to affect locals' daily lives, causing problems such as crowding on public transportation and increased noise levels. In response, Kyoto, a popular tourist destination, released a "Code of Conduct for Sustainable Tourism" in November 2020. It provides guidelines for visitors to respect the local culture and environment and avoid overstepping boundaries. 

As the world slowly recovers from the pandemic, it is likely that tourism will continue to grow, and the issue of over-tourism will remain a challenge. However, with the right policies and practices in place, it is possible to promote sustainable tourism that benefits both visitors and the local community.

To manage the situation, the Japanese government is taking measures to promote sustainable tourism. They are working on developing alternative tourist destinations outside of the main cities and implementing measures to reduce the impact of tourism on local communities. One initiative is to promote tourism to lesser-known regions, such as Tohoku and Kyushu, which are off the beaten path for most tourists. The government is also encouraging tourists to visit Japan during the off-peak season to ease the pressure on popular destinations.

In addition, the government is also promoting the use of technology to manage tourism. They have launched a smartphone app that provides real-time information about popular tourist destinations and crowds, allowing visitors to plan their trips more efficiently and avoid crowded areas.

However, despite these measures, Japan aims to attract 60 million tourists by 2030. This target has raised concerns about the sustainability of the industry and its impact on the environment and local communities.

Overall, the Japanese government is striving to balance the benefits of tourism with the needs of local communities. While it is still a work in progress, their efforts to promote sustainable tourism show promise in addressing the issue of over-tourism. Tourists can also help by being mindful of their impact on the environment and local communities, and making an effort to travel responsibly.