TOKYO: Japan’s tourism in­­d­­u­­s­try is taking a 3,000-strong delegation to China this year, a lawmaker said Wednesday, as Tokyo lo­oks to capitalise on its nei­ghbour’s growing appetite for travel.

With ties between the coun­tries beginning to thaw after a years-long freeze, par­li­amentarian Toshihiro Nikai said the May 22-24 trip was a chance to further im­prove relations.

“Everyone is hoping to see leaders from Japan and China shake hands. I believe this visit will help improve the current situation,” said Nikai told a news conference. Delegates will include those from the tourism and other business sectors, as well as officials from local governments and cultural bodies.

They are looking to capitalise on the rising number of Chinese travelling abroad each year due to rising incomes and the easing of restrictions on foreign travel.

China has been the world’s fastest-growing source of tourists over the past decade and more than 100 million of its nationals are expected to make trips this year, according to the UN. However, this year’s Japanese delegation pales in comparison with past visits by the tourism industry, including a 2002 trip that saw a group of 13,000 visit Beijing.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2015

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