Khaberni - Japan recorded record numbers of visitors, raising concerns among local residents about what is known as "overtourism", according to a report by the Financial Times.
According to the report, Japan experienced an unprecedented surge in tourist numbers in 2024, receiving about 37 million visitors who spent over 53 billion US dollars, the highest figure ever recorded in the country's history.
The wave did not stop there; during the first half of this year alone, the number of arrivals exceeded 20 million people, indicating the continued momentum of tourism without slowdown.
Congestion is no longer confined to Tokyo or Kyoto but has spread to smaller coastal cities like Kamakura, which has a population of only 170,000 but receives more than 44,000 visitors daily, making it one of the most crowded tourist cities in Japan.
A global survey revealed that about half of the residents in Japan's tourist areas feel a direct impact of what is known as "overtourism", whether in terms of congestion, pollution, or changes to the local lifestyle.
Despite this growing dissatisfaction, tourism is considered a vital artery for the Japanese economy, accounting for more than 7% of the Gross Domestic Product and providing nearly 9% of the job opportunities.
