Cherry blossom season tourism in Japan: Vietnamese tourists rank 5th in spending

Vietnamese tourists start spending early and significantly, with over 45% of their spending occurring on the first day of their trip.

Vietnamese tourists' spending per Visa card used reached 74% of that of Singaporean tourists and surpassed the average spending of tourists from Southeast Asia and East Asia.

What do Vietnamese tourists buy when they visit Japan?

The cherry blossom season not only attracts millions of international tourists but also boosts domestic tourism spending in Japan by up to 50%. VisaNet's data is derived from research compiled from anonymous transaction data on tourist spending trends in 17 prefectures within the cherry blossom region.

The results also show that tourist spending during each cherry blossom season has a strong impact on the Japanese economy , especially when delving into the spending habits and travel trends of tourists throughout the cherry blossom season.

According to data from Visa's Green Shoots Radar study, Japan continues to be a favorite destination for Vietnamese travelers.

During the 2024 cherry blossom season alone, spending per tourist card increased by 22%, particularly at department stores, pharmacies, and high-end jewelry shops. The majority of spending by Vietnamese tourists took place in Tokyo, Osaka, Chiba, Shizuoka, and Aichi.

Vietnamese tourists are also said to have started spending early and in large amounts, with over 45% of their spending occurring in the first few days of their trip. Spending trends also vary depending on the income level of each group of tourists from different countries.

High-spending travelers allocate 20% to 30% of their budget to accommodation and gradually shift towards shopping experiences in the latter half of their trip.

Conversely, budget-conscious travelers tend to be more flexible with their spending, focusing on dining and shopping experiences.

"The tourism industry still has significant growth potential, with 41% of Vietnamese consumers planning leisure travel in the next six months," the Visa report emphasized.

Cashless shopping surged thanks to tourists.

Even in a highly conservative country like Japan, the use of cash remains quite common.

However, contactless payment methods are being strongly promoted in this country by tourists in general, with total usage increasing by 14% during the cherry blossom season. Specifically for Vietnamese tourists, the rate of contactless transactions recorded a 5% increase throughout the festival period.

This trend reflects the growing demand for seamless payment solutions, driven by the expanding rollout of payment acceptance across core sectors such as restaurants and grocery stores.

In particular, travelers from Asia- Pacific countries, where contactless payment systems are well-developed, have quickly adapted and used them during their trips.

Ms. Dang Tuyet Dung, Director of Visa Vietnam and Laos, said: "The power of data lies in its ability to transform numbers into insights, driving decision-making and strategic planning."

Analyses of the impact of cherry blossom season on tourism and spending trends highlight how data can help us better understand complex phenomena, identify trends, and make predictions.

According to Visa representatives, data from Visa not only reveals current trends. Visa solutions such as Visa Destination Insights can also help businesses in the tourism sector and local businesses predict future traveler behavior and provide information for strategic planning.

Through its analysis of the impact of cherry blossom season on tourism, Visa equips businesses of all sizes with valuable insights to optimize services and deliver a seamless travel experience for visitors.

Tourism in Vietnam and the region is entering a new era, where efficient and secure payment methods play a parallel role in meeting the growing needs of consumers throughout their travel journeys.

Visa partners with leading companies.

In an effort to enrich the travel experience, Visa has partnered with leading companies in the industry such as Vietnam Airlines, Japan Airlines, Agoda, and Booking.com to offer special benefits, such as discounts and reward miles on purchases and bookings.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/du-lich-mua-hoa-anh-dao-nhat-ban-du-khach-viet-dung-thu-5-ve-chi-tieu-20240622151101042.htm