Japan: Visitors Return Boosting Economic Activity for Restaurant and Hotel Industry

The return of international visitors to Japan has started to offer glimpses of positive economic activity among the hotel and restaurant industries. Hotels experienced guest stay increases of 32.5 percent year over year, to 42.1 million, up 5.8 percent compared to October 2019. October restaurant sales soared to nearly 15 percent year over year on an all-store basis, levels not seen since before the global pandemic. Japan’s reopening and travel promotion efforts have laid a strong foundation for economic recovery heading into the new year.