Japan relying on IRs to boost tourism

Tetsuo Saito, Japan’s minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, has said that the country’s planned integrated resorts will be a key driver to bring in tourists.

Japan.- Fumio Kishida, Japan’s prime minister, is committed to boosting tourism and integrated resorts as having a key role in the process.

Tetsuo Saito, Japan’s minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism has said the country hopes to receive 60 million inbound visitors by the year 2030. He sees IR policy as vital.

Saito said: “To meet the target, the government as a whole will make every effort. Especially, it is putting importance on the measures to expand average spending per visitor and to extend the length of stay per visit.”

Japan’s bicameral legislature has recently opened the application window for three integrated resorts licences. Those cities and prefectures interested in developing an Integrated Resort will have until April 28 2022 to submit their final project proposals.

Currently, only three cities are expected to bid for licences: Nagasaki, Osaka and Wakayama. That means all three could win their bids.