TRAVEL AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN JAPAN.

Аннотация

The current research aims at analysing travel and tourism development in Japan using qualitative descriptive approach on the basis of Travel and Tourism Development Index( TTDI) provided by World Economic Forum. The study relies on data accumulated from existing literature and resources in order to thoroughly examine each indicator of TTDI framework. Findings explore that Japan has experienced a remarkable development, making the destination a premier location for international travelers. Key words: travel, tourism, development, Japan, TTDI, WEF. Introduction. Travel and tourism are essential components of today’s thriving global society. WTTC reported that in 2023 travel and tourism sector contributed 9.1% to the global GDP. Being one of the great industrial field, tourism drives economic growth, creates employement opportunities and promotes social development at the same time. The concept of travel and tourism development has been given main emhasis in majority of tourism studies for a long period of time and it still holds key significance in tourism research area. Tourism is regarded as having a dynamic nature like any other complex human activity, all of which are capable of changing over time ( Butler, 1997), triggering economic growth and becoming an important target for most governments (Lee, Chang 2008). In Japan, tourism has gradually become a key activity reinforcing the country’s economy since 2000 (Horita,2020). From 2011 to 2015, Japan’s inbound tourism grew by 33 % per year, among fastest rates in the world (André et al.,2016). The country hosted 32 million inbound visitors in 2019, tourists spent $43.6 billion expenditure according to the Japan times’ report. The most popular cities in Japan for international travelers are Tokyo and Osaka, in 2023, Tokyo ranked 4th among the world’s most popular cities and Osaka was in 16th (worlddata.info). The World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) ranked Japan first in the development index in 2021 due to the speed with which travel and tourism industry has recovered from the devastation caused by the pandemic. This study examines travel and tourism development in Japan on the basis of TTDI framework provided by WEF, exploring each indicator relying on the secondary data accumulated from existing sources. 53 CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCES International scientific-online conference Data and sources. Table 1. Travel and Tourism Development Index framework. Source: The World Economic Forum. Enabling environment. Business environment. Tourism business is regarded as one of Japan’s cultural innovations. The first technique they use is creating ‘’cultiral identity’’ of a tourist attraction that makes the spot stand aside from others. Another method is designing mascots for each tourist attraction as an ambassador for tourism and as a souvenier product in several sources. In order to prosper their tourism business, japanese use technology and communication through tourist assistance centers, QR code translators and many other advancements (Siam Commercial Bank ). Table 2. Top seven tourism companies in Japan. WAmazing Application services offered to foreign tourists Scheme verge, inc A smart city start up aiming revolutionize urban development Biodata bank New E-health solution with core body temperature monitoring Gym in Japan Gym searching&reservation web service in Tokyo Acomo, lnc Innovating in the travel industry Mona JP IoT&SaaS eanbles businesses to build DApps to deliver real world impact Aquabit spirals Hyperlink of things Merges Physical with digital in contactless smart city. 54 CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCES International scientific-online conference Source: www.F6S.com Safety and security. Japan is ranked with very low crime rate, and the country is very safe for visitors. However, Japan National Tourism Organisation suggest travelers to be aware of their surroundings. Even if a traveler victims form of violence or crime, they are asked to head to a local koban - the small police boxes dotted throughout Japanese neighborhoods. Health and hygiene. In June 2020, there was a survey carried out in 12 countries where 6,266 people with international travel experience asked “which country or region do you want to go visit after the coronavirus subsides? Japan was chosen by 46% of respondents where hygiene level in the country was mostly valued. (japanforward.com) Human resource and labour market. In 2021,the influence of tourism on employement rate in Japan indicated 1.56 tourism industry as an integral part labour market in the country(statista.com). ICT readiness. ICT has become an integral part of travel and tourism sector in Japan. From planning itenaries to booking processes , ICT holds focal role in implementing all the procedures. According to Japanese national tour organization, the country has been synonymous with technology since 1960s. The country represents many