Japan relies on tourism: number of visitors to be doubled

Tokyo - Looking for new growth drivers for the weakening economy, the Japanese government discovered tourism for itself. The number of foreign visitors to be doubled by 2020 to 40 million per year, was Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday in Tokyo as the destination. "Tourism is an important part of our economic growth strategy," Abe said after a cabinet meeting. 2030, even be lured annual 60 million visitors.
The 20 million tourists who went last year in the Asian country, spent the equivalent of nearly 28 billion euros. Even this sum will be doubled by 2020th For this, the government wants to facilitate visa requirements and allow more flights. Also art and cultural treasures to be promoted more strongly abroad.The third largest after the US and China economy in the world hopes that the tourism new impetus to the economy, which is suffering from weakening exports and thrifty consumers. Many retailers in Tokyo are already benefiting from the growing number of visitors from China who purchase mainly electronics and clothing en masse in order to resell at home. The government hopes that an increasing tourism also benefits rural areas, where many temples and shrines lure. (APA / Reuters)