The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has reported a remarkable increase in the number of visitors traveling from Türkiye to Japan. In the first half of 2024, the number of Turkish visitors grew by 105.1% compared to the same period last year, reaching 29,000.
Japan welcomed 17.77 million visitors in the first six months of 2024. This figure represents a 6.9% increase compared to the same period in 2019, and a 65.9% rise from 2023, signaling a strong recovery in Japan’s tourism industry and growing interest in the country as a travel destination.
ANA to launch new Haneda-Istanbul route
In response to the growing number of visitors from Türkiye, ANA announced plans to further strengthen travel ties between the two countries. Starting from February 12, 2025, ANA will launch a new route from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Istanbul, making it the first Turkish city to be served by ANA’s scheduled flights. The airline plans to operate three flights per week.
"We expect even more Turkish visitors to Japan"
Commenting on the development, Kobayashi Daisuke, Executive Director of JNTO’s Dubai Office, said:
"As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Türkiye, we are excited to welcome a record number of Turkish tourists. The significant increase in visitors from Türkiye in 2024 is exceptional compared to other countries and reflects Japan's growing appeal as a travel destination for Turkish travelers. This surge can be largely attributed to the increased availability of seats by Turkish Airlines and JNTO's active promotional efforts. The visa exemption for Turkish citizens also makes Japan an especially attractive destination.
In honor of this centennial, JNTO plans to bring Japan even closer to the Turkish people by organizing seminars for travel industry professionals and events for general travelers this fall. We hope many will join us in these activities.
ANA's new Istanbul route, launching in February 2025, will further enhance the travel experience for Turkish visitors. We look forward to strengthening this air bridge between our countries and are eager to see the next 100 years of Japan-Türkiye relations flourish. With Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai on the horizon, we expect even more travelers from Türkiye to discover Japan."