Number of Japanese Tourists in Summer Seen Down for 2nd Year

Tokyo, July 8 (Jiji Press)--The number of Japanese taking trips of
one night or more this summer is estimated at 74.43 million, down 1.7 pct
from a year before in the second straight year of decrease, traveling agency
JTB Corp. said Wednesday.
The number of those who travel abroad is projected to decrease 5.8
pct to 2.1 million, down for the third year.
The number of domestic travelers is seen dropping 1.6 pct to 72.33
million, falling for the second year.
The estimates cover a summer holiday period from July 15 to Aug.
31.
The expected drops partly reflect the spread of swine flu, JTB
said, adding that an increasing number of people are choosing early July and
September for their trips.
The number of Japanese travelers to South Korea is expected to grow
7.0 pct, while the number is expected to decrease 9.6 pct for the U.S.
mainland, 7.9 pct for China and 4.3 pct for Hawaii.
JTB estimates that the average cost of a trip abroad will decline
14.1 pct to 214,000 yen as most airlines abolished fuel surcharges on
international flights this month.
The cost of a domestic trip is expected to drop 7.5 pct to 33,100
yen on average.