regions | asia
ANALYSIS ASIA’S REJUVENATION
Nearly two years after the pandemic, borders have opened across Asia and the continent has seen a surge in visitors across its destinations. By Rashmi Narayan
With a slow but steady recovery in visitor numbers since 2020, many Asian countries appear to be back on their feet with the hope of obtaining even higher tourism numbers by proposing an array of new experiences, ranging from worldwide cruises to wellness retreats. Since its borders reopened in early 2023,
weekly U.S. airline operated flights to China are split evenly between Delta Air Lines, American and United. There are currently 24 round-trips between the two countries as of October 2023. After stringent measures to tackle Covid,
Japan opened its doors to international travelers in the fall of 2022 and within a year, the country welcomed 156,600 U.S. travelers witnessing an increase of 7.2 percent since 2019. In August 2023, Japan Airlines saw a 15.2
percent increase in passengers traveling from America from the previous year, demonstrating the rising appetite for vacations to Japan.
58 | ASTA | Worldwide Destination Guide 2024/25 Exciting new attractions that opened in
2023 include the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in the bustling Shinjuku area. Kabuki-Yokocho is the tower’s lavish new food hall offering karaoke bars, DJ booths, restaurants serving local fare and live cultural performances throughout the week. In addition to the world-famous early-morning
tuna auction at Koto district’s Toyosu Market, a new complex is scheduled to open here in February 2024 amid a recreated streetscape celebrating the Edo-period that promises a shopping area as well as hot springs and saunas. Inspired by London’s theater shows,
Immersive Fort Tokyo, an interactive theme park that’s ideal for families and groups, will be opening its doors to visitors heading to Odaiba in spring 2024. Throughout 2024, visitors can also expect a string of new hotels across the country. In
Nagasaki, the new Marriott Hotel is ready to welcome visitors in early 2024 and boasts 207 rooms. The hotel is centrally located adjacent to JR Nagasaki Train Station making it the perfect base for exploring the historic port city and its spectacular volcanoes and hot springs. Offering traditional tea ceremonies and a
Zen Garden, Six Senses Kyoto will open its doors by spring 2024 in the historic regal capital’s Higashiyama area. Another hotel to look out for in spring is
DoubleTree’s first hotel in Osaka — DoubleTree by Hilton Osaka Castle. Just a stone’s throw from the 450-year-old Osaka Castle, the hotel has 377 rooms spread over 15 floors and is a five-minute walk from Temmabashi Station, where visitors can visit Universal Studios Japan. For a more rejuvenating and wellness-
focused getaway in fall 2024, visitors can treat themselves in the onsen town of Okuhida,
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