Young Aussies are flocking to Japan in record numbers with visitation up 36 per cent during the first four months of 2024 compared to the previous period as almost two in three (62%) Gen-Zers say the nation is their top travel destination.
Recent consumer data and research from online global student and youth travel experts StudentUniverse highlights Japan’s ongoing appeal, particularly among young Aussie travellers.
Famous for beer, skiing and its annual snow festival, Sapporo has risen in popularity with flight bookings to the Hokkaido city via Tokyo or Osaka up more than 200 per cent.
With the travel retailer’s Japan bookings up 36 per cent so far this year, the data correlates with StudentUniverse’s State of Student & Youth Travel in 2024 report with the trending nation topping the list of most-desired destinations to visit.
Recent Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) figures tell the same story with Aussie visitation to Japan up 46.3 per cent between January and March 2024 compared to the same period in 2019.
StudentUniverse records huge Japan surge
Global Brand Manager Will Jones said StudentUniverse is seeing a huge rise in interest and demand for travel to Japan, now overtaking Thailand as the most popular destination for Aussie youth travellers.
“This trend is reflected in our booking data, which shows bookings to the Land of the Rising Sun are up over a third – 36 per cent – compared with last year,” he said.
“Interestingly, Japan has overtaken Thailand in popularity among Australian Gen Z with bookings to Japan exceeding ones to Thailand for the first time ever.”
For more info, head to studentuniverse.com
