Japan ranks bottom among rich nations in tourism competitiveness

Thursday 05th March, 06:54 AM JST

GENEVA —

Japan ranked 25th in travel and tourism competitiveness in the world this year, down from 23rd the previous year and ranking at the bottom among developed countries, an annual survey by the World Economic Forum showed Wednesday. Although Japan ranked top among 133 economies in two of the 14 categories, such as a category of health and hygiene, in The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009, it ranked third from bottom for the affinity of the country for travel and tourism.

The country also got a low score in price competitiveness in the travel and tourism industry, ranking 86th, while it got a high score in cultural resources and ground transport infrastructure, the Swiss-based think tank said. In the overall evaluation, Switzerland remained top, followed by Austria and Germany, the same order as the previous year’s survey.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Australia ranked top at ninth, down five places from last year. Singapore came second, followed by Hong Kong, New Zealand and Japan.

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Latest 15 of 56 Total Comments Show All

sydenham at 10:18 AM JST - 6th March

Cost is a total misconception left over from the nineties. stagflation rules japan. my country, canada, on the other hand has so many add on taxes, and inflation has been so high the past decade (compared with japan), even with the crappy exchange it's more expensive.
Nessie at 11:23 AM JST - 6th March

On the flip side, in Japan I don't have to be bothered by ladyboy tuktuk drivers offering a special massage today only because it's Buddha's birthday. I'll never fall for that one again.

I avoid being scammed like that by making sure it really is Buddha's birthday when I'm in Thailand, Unagi.
LostinNagoya at 03:38 PM JST - 6th March

Not a place to spend your money on vacation, unless you are a japanophile. Boring.
NeoJamal at 08:12 PM JST - 6th March

Basically, if the place doesn't cater to myopic self-centred preferences of the Anglo-Saxon race, it's not a worthy place to visit according to the WEF.
Pukey2 at 11:24 PM JST - 6th March

Yelnats:

And Pukey2, Enoshima is one of the most pleasant and easy to deal with places on this planet. Go to Singapore.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING, RIGHT? Enoshima is just about as tacky and crowded as it can get. I didn't think much of the garbage floating about nearby. Oh, and I have been to Singapore - it was a lot cleaner, thank God, and the Indian and Chinese food much more authentic.

Don't get me wrong. There are some wonderful and clean beaches in Japan, but Enoshima is not one of them.
GW at 12:25 AM JST - 7th March

I think what a lot of people are really trying to say about Jpn for tourists is unless you really do yr research is that its very low value for yr money, bit the same can be said for most Japanese living in Jpn just that they dont realize it, they dont get much value for their money most of the time
jonnyboy at 01:50 AM JST - 7th March

how ironic: please, please, come to japan... but only if you're willing to do absolutely everything on our terms. actually, come to think of it, could you just transfer us some of your money? because to be honest that would make it easier since otherwise we might have to, you know, actually cater to your needs.
bcbrownboy at 08:23 AM JST - 7th March

Wottock_Hunt -- you are right that there are blossoms elsewhere, but where else can you find them surrounded by karaoke machines and pools of vomit? That oughta be worth a peek.
ichinensei at 04:46 AM JST - 9th March

I'm a gaijin. I dont understand why people always complain about lack of English spoken in the countries they visit. How about trying to learn some of the local language. Personally I dont want to go to Japan and everyone speaks English to me. If that was a case, it would be very boring. Just think, when Japanese people come to our countries, are we suppose to speak Japanese to them? Singapore has very expensive hotels - even the YMCA which i stayed at last year was expensive. Their food is OK, but I was originally from Malaysia so i can tell you Singaporean food is a more expensive/and not so tasty version of Malaysian food.
Thenewfront at 04:59 AM JST - 9th March

Japan is a rip off, for travelling, food, phone charges, and almost evertything else for taht matter, and the strong Yen makes it even worse.
PaizuriSan at 09:05 AM JST - 9th March

Japan is a rip off, for travelling, food, phone charges, and almost evertything else for taht matter, and the strong Yen makes it even worse.

Normally I would say prove it. But I have been here for about 9 months and he is right. But the rip off is not really the case. Its expensive here because they charge the people for the labor. U pay more the more you use something or in the theater depending on where you sit.Q
sydenham at 04:29 PM JST - 9th March

Food? no.

Canada has caught up with Japan, and in many cases costs more. There are so many bloody restaurants and supermarkets here, if you don't like the prices, just keep walking and you'll find a cheaper place around the corner. Even Canadian beer has caught up with Japan, even though it tastes worse.

Obviously for tourism, the exchange is having the biggest impact, but just last summer, sister and mother came over and couldn't believe how cheap everything was. for 8 days in a hotel room with 2 double beds in August Y100,000. Give it a year or two and (depending on the country) the rates with be similar to what they were last summer.

The point is that without the sudden surge in yen cost wouldn't be a factor. There are other problems at work.
Yasashihito at 03:39 PM JST - 11th March

On a cost of living note - these guys are right, Japan is number one. http://www.articlesbase.com/international-business-articles/international-cost-of-living-comparison-global-trends-658217.html
Nessie at 04:12 PM JST - 11th March

Basically, if the place doesn't cater to myopic self-centred preferences of the Anglo-Saxon race, it's not a worthy place to visit according to the WEF.

I always forget -- was it the Angles who came from Switzerland, or the Saxons? Please refresh my memory.
sydenham at 01:00 PM JST - 12th March

Yasashihito, look at the following phrase from the article you refer to:

The indexes are calculated using the prices for specific quantities of the same goods and services in each location, based on expatriate spending patterns across 13 broad categories

Should these "expatriates" be taken as representative of the average tourist?