Rakuten Travel has released reservation status for domestic and international travels for the summer 2014 (July 15 to August 30, 2014.) According to their release, domestic travels increased 20.1% and international travels increased 12.8% compared with the same period last year, both keeping firm growth. Also, on-line reservation using smartphones and other mobile terminals has shown major growth of 71.7% as the method for making reservations. This is especially notable among the 20s as it grew 98.8% to double the figure of last year. (Domestic and international popular destinations are listed below.)
Reservation status on Rakuten Travel for the summer of 2014 shows that domestic travels are doing well with 20.1% increase compared with the figure of last year. Ehime Prefecture, which takes part in tourist attracting “Shimanowa 2014” program and also popular destination for cyclists, in particular gained 66.9% more reservations compared with the last summer. In addition, Gunma Prefecture with “Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites” formally registered as a World Heritage attracted 38.7% more reservations and Osaka Prefecture with the Universal Studios Japan opening a new attraction drew 38.5% more reservations. And furthermore, lodging budget used per person went up 4.4% and reservations for rental cars went up 57.2%. Using rental cars for means of transportation for traveling is notable among the 20s for it increased 114.9%.
As for international travels, it increased 12.8% compared with the same period last year, keeping strong even though the consumption tax was raised this spring. The most popular destination is Indonesia, and Hong Kong and Taiwan follow. The peak date for departure is August 13 and for arrival is August 17.
[Domestic Travel Top 10 Growing Destinations]
* According to the reservations made as of June 19 compared with the figure from the same period last year
1. Ehime Prefecture +66.9%
2. Kochi Prefecture +47.1%
3. Ibaraki Prefecture +43.0%
4. Saitama Prefecture +66.9%
5. Hiroshima Prefecture +39.2%
6. Gunma Prefecture +38.7%
7. Yamanashi Prefecture +38.6%
8. Osaka Prefecture +38.5%
9. Kumamoto Prefecture +37.6%
10. Nara Prefecture +35.8%
[Domestic Travel Top 10 Destinations]
* According to the reservations made as of June 19 compared with the figure from the same period last year
1. Tokyo Metropolis +18.9% (2nd)
2. Okinawa Prefecture +15.0% (3rd)
3. Hokkaido Prefecture +11.4% (1st)
4. Osaka Prefecture +38.5% (5th)
5. Chiba Prefecture +3.8% (4th)
6. Shizuoka Prefecture +29.4% (6th)
7. Kanagawa Prefecture +16.3% (7th)
8. Nagano Prefecture +27.2% (9th)
9. Fukuoka Prefecture +8.0% (8th)
10. Hyogo Prefecture +23.5% (10th)
[International Travel Top 10 Growing Destinations]
* According to the reservations made as of June 19 compared with the figure from the same period last year
1. Indonesia +52.6%
2. Hong Kong +49.0%
3. Taiwan +36.9%
4. Malaysia +22.3%
5. Honolulu (Oahu, Hawaii) +20.3%
[International Travel Top 5 Destinations]
* According to the reservations made as of June 19 compared with the figure from the same period last year
1. Guam
2. Honolulu (Oahu, Hawaii)
3. Taiwan
4. Korea
5. Singapore
In this release, domestic overnight travel trend is referred by reservation status of “ANA Raku Pack Tours” and “JAL Raku Pack Tours” and international overnight travel trend is referred by reservation status of international accommodations (including overseas hotels and dynamic packaged tours.) Figures are calculated by comparing reservation status as of June 19, 2014 with figures from the same period last year.
(Travel Voice Editorial Department)
