Russian tourist flow to Japan shows a positive trend

The office of Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) will be opened at the beginning of the next year in Moscow. The news was reported to Russian tourist industry representatives and journalists by vice-president of JNTO Morihiro Kawata. He had arrived to Moscow for a workshop, organized by his Office in the Embassy of Japan. 22 specialists from 11 Japanese organizations, including representatives of Hokkaido Tourism Administration, came at the working meetings in Moscow. About 70 companies and more than 30 journalists were at the meetings from the Russian side. It is noted, that this event of such format was organized by JNTO for the first time. According to official statistics of Japan, in comparison with 2014 the total flow from Russia in 2015 decreased by 15.2%, the tourist flow – by 15.5%. However, during the first nine months of this year the decline began brake, showing only minus 1.6%. September showed an increase by 6.7%, and the results of October were also positive. Most likely, the growth is connected with the strengthening of the ruble. People are willing again to invest in tourism. And of course the news about the improvement of relations between our countries had played its role.