Downturn in outbound travel from Japan

Statistics of Japanese travelling abroad compiled by Japan Tourism Marketing Co. show that the downturn has not been as severe as from Korea. In the months of January, February and March 2009 the downturn was -13.4%, -1.4% and -3.2% respectively on the same month in 2008. It remains to be seen what impact the influenza epidemic will have.

The numbers of Japanese residents arriving in New Zealand for the same months were -25.6%, -14.3% and -11.8% respectively indicating that New Zealand is losing market share. Tourism New Zealand has market research available on Japan.