By Ms Lavinia Rajaram, director of Asia public relations at Expedia Brands, said between September and October, the travel firm recorded a 20 per cent increase in searches for hotels, and a 10 per cent increase in searches for flights to destinations in Japan.
Tokyo was among the top 10 destinations for Singaporeans in the first three quarters of 2023, said Ms Rajaram, who is also an Expedia travel expert.
She said: “While city destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka continue to be popular, Expedia sees a rising interest among Asian travellers to visit Hokkaido during the winter snow season.”
Mr Ong Hanjie, director for public relations and communications at EU Holidays, said 95 per cent of Japan tour packages for the last two months of 2023 were snapped up between September and October.
Inquiries and bookings for Japan tours that the travel agency receives now are for holidays as far ahead as August 2024.
Said Mr Ong: “I would advise those planning to go to Japan, to plan ahead a little. Otherwise, they might experience very high travelling costs and may be left disappointed. I’ve noticed that hotel rates in Japan can rise daily.”
Lawyer Yeo Su-en, 24, and data specialist Jordan Tan, 26, who will be travelling to Japan in early December, said they would be willing to spend between 10 per cent and 20 per cent more, given the favourable exchange rate.
“We will be spending on Sanrio and Pokemon plush toys, muscle girl bars, candied apples, and thick katsu rice bowls,” said Mr Tan. Muscle girl bars are fitness-themed nightspots.
“I have not exchanged Sing dollars for yen because I am hoping that the yen will weaken further,” said Ms Yeo.
