Japan keen to work with Qatar in tourism for mutual economic benefits

Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) has said visa waiver for the Qatari nationals has helped in increasing tourists’ inflows to the Asian nation and will partake in the upcoming Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) to work together with partners in Doha, a move seen mutually beneficial for both the economies.

"The number of Qatari nationals visiting Japan has been on the rise. From January to June 2024, 1,926 Qatari nationals visited Japan, which is a 17.3% increase from the same period last year," JNTO executive director Daisuke Kobayashi told Gulf Times in an interview.

Since the introduction of the visa waiver for Qatari nationals, Japan has seen some increase in number of visitors, he said.

Japan activated the system of visa exemption for Qatari citizens effective from August 21, 2023; enabling them to apply electronically for visas at the Embassy of Japan in Doha to further register their passports and then finalising registration for the visa waiver online.

By offering travellers varied experiences across Japan, he said, JNTO aims to ensure that tourism growth remains sustainable while enhancing the quality of experiences for both visitors and local communities.

Highlighting JNTO has an essential role in promoting new seasonal and regional attractions, he said it will participate in the upcoming QTM.

QTM - which brings the world's top destinations together to share the latest trends in Sports, MICE, Business, Cultural, Leisure, Luxury, Medical and Halal Tourism - is scheduled to take place on November 25-27.

"It is important for JNTO to create and maintain positive and productive relationships with airlines and travel agencies in the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) region in order to promote Japan as preferred leisure destination," Kobayashi said.

Many people in the Gulf region know Japan to enjoy cherry blossoms. However, with Japan's 47 prefectures, each offering its own unique attractions, and four distinct seasons, there is always something new to discover, according to him.

"That’s one of the most special things about Japan: no matter how many times you visit or which season you explore, there is always an opportunity for endless discoveries," he said.

Asked about the growing concerns on over-tourism in Japan, he said it was limited to certain popular areas. Nevertheless, JNTO and other Japanese tourism authorities are taking proactive steps to address this issue, led primarily by the Japan Tourism Agency.

"Our approach focuses on finding a balance between promoting tourism and managing visitor numbers to ensure that Japan remains a sustainable and welcoming destination," he said, adding "we believe that by carefully planning and executing our promotional activities, we can mitigate the impact of over-tourism."

In this regard, he said, JNTO is encouraging visitors to explore Japan in different seasons beyond the cherry blossom period, such as enjoying the autumn foliage or winter snow, which helps distribute visitors throughout the year.

"Additionally, we are promoting diverse regions across Japan to broaden the appeal of travel destinations beyond the traditional “Golden Route” of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. This allows visitors to discover the unique charm of lesser-known regions and contributes to a more balanced distribution of travellers," according to him.