Member Article

Tokyo crowned top holiday destination in 2020

Tokyo has been crowned the top destination for Europeans to travel to next year, by travel website eDreams ODIGEO. The travel company analysed booking data from over 18 million customers to reveal the top destinations consumers are predicted to visit in 2020 as part of its fourth annual eDreams ODIGEO European Traveller Insights Report.

Bookings to Tokyo rose 90% following the success of the Rugby World Cup and British visitors to Tokyo are expected to increase three-fold next year. The news follows the Japan National Tourism Organization’s (JNTO) commitment to attract 40 million inbound tourists annually by 2020 and 60 million by 2030.

With overseas residents able to purchase tickets for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games from spring next year, sporting events are set to be a key driver for visitors to the Japanese capital in 2020, too. Next year, Tokyo will host the games for the second time, using as many venues that were built for the 1964 Games, such as the prestigious Nippon Budokkan for judo and the Baji Koen Park for equestrian events. The Tokyo National Stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies will be staged, will be replaced by a new arena, however.

The second, third and fourth most popular destinations for European visitors in 2020 offer idyllic sun, sea and exotic beaches. The Caribbean cities of Fort-de-France and Pointe-à-Pitre registered a 71% and 62% annual increase in bookings respectively from European travellers. Meanwhile, the picturesque island of Phuket in Thailand is expected to see a 53% increase in European tourists compared to 2019. The island was also ranked the most likely destination for UK tourists to visit in 2020.

Porto was ranked as Europe’s fifth most popular destination for next year, with the city’s wine, food and culture driving 2020 bookings up by 51%.

Pablo Caspers, chief travel officer of eDreams ODIGEO, said: “The incredible 90% increase in European tourists visiting Tokyo will be music to the JNTO’s ears as the country has invested heavily in driving tourism here. Tourists from the UK are currently recording the highest increase in bookings to visit Tokyo next year. This is despite the Japanese yen being among a number of Far Eastern currencies against which sterling has fallen significantly.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Raoul Duke .