WHILE Japan battles with over-tourism, Ponant has suggested its small ship cruises are the ideal way to disperse travellers and see a hidden part of the country most tourists never think about. Speaking to Cruise Weekly on the sidelines of a Ponant lunch in Sydney yesterday, Ryo Ijichi (pictured), director...
WHILE Japan battles with over-tourism, Ponant has suggested its small ship cruises are the ideal way to disperse travellers and see a hidden part of the country most tourists never think about.
Speaking to Cruise Weekly on the sidelines of a Ponant lunch in Sydney yesterday, Ryo Ijichi (pictured), director of Japan and South Korea, said it was working with the Japanese government to promote tourism dispersal.
“We exceeded the record of 30 million [tourists] last year, and our expectation is that this year is going to exceed 40 million,” he said.
“The government is even thinking of a strategic plan to go up to 100 million.”
He urged tourists to think beyond the major tourist hubs such as Tokyo and Kyoto.
“We have 35,000 kilometres of coastline, and we have over 15,000 islands in Japan, so when you change your route to not go to the ordinary, there [are] still plenty of places that are relatively vacant, not congested, many are UNESCO World Heritage, or connected to famous historical events of Japan,” Ijichi exclaimed.
“When you come on board, we’ll take you to the unordinary, we’ll take you to the inconvenient, yet fascinating places,” he added.
The Japan season for Ponant is currently towards the end of Feb to May with Le Solal and Le Jacques Cartier sailing in the region, but Ijichi said it was also bringing a ship for Sep and Oct, with a longer season or more ships always considered. DF
