NAHA, Jan 08 (News On Japan) –
Tourism business leaders gathered in Naha to mark the beginning of the brand new 12 months, as Okinawa’s customer numbers proceed to climb to unprecedented ranges.
The variety of vacationers coming into Okinawa in fiscal 2025 is anticipated to exceed 10 million for the primary time, setting a brand new document. With additional progress anticipated, executives throughout the sector shared their outlook for 2026.
Around 700 folks from the tourism business attended the “Okinawa Tourism New Year Gathering,” held in Naha on January 5.
Visitor numbers for fiscal 2025 had already reached slightly below 10 million by November, and are projected to surpass the milestone by the tip of the fiscal 12 months. Hamada, chairman of the Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau, emphasised that Okinawa tourism has “entered a new phase toward a leap forward.”
Executives had been requested to explain their imaginative and prescient for the 12 months forward because the business seeks additional growth.
Azuma Yoshikazu, chairman of Okinawa Tourist, mentioned the character that defines his 12 months is “people.” While AI continues to advance quickly, he harassed that human power is turning into more and more necessary. He mentioned he hopes Okinawa tourism will proceed to develop by way of human useful resource growth, private connections, and stronger networks.
Sato Daisuke, vp of Japan Entertainment, which operates the theme park Junglia Okinawa that opened in 2025, selected the theme of “gratitude and evolution.”
Sato mentioned the corporate goals to evolve the park into one which makes use of Okinawa’s assets and pure surroundings, and is deeply cherished by native residents.
Asked about contributions to the prefectural financial system, he mentioned Junglia hopes to change into a catalyst for change by creating an surroundings the place working in Okinawa is pleasurable and the place tourism may be realized, working along with different tourism operators throughout the area.
As inbound tourism from abroad stays robust, Japan Transocean Air is embarking on a brand new problem.
Noguchi Nozomu, president of Japan Transocean Air, described the 12 months as one among “opening the future.” He famous that on February 3, the airline will launch its first scheduled worldwide route as JTA, connecting Naha and Taipei, including that the corporate goals to rapidly place the service on a secure footing and hyperlink it to future progress.
Oyadomari Masayo, who turned president of KARIYUSHI, an operator of resort inns in Okinawa, in 2025 after a profession as a flight attendant, mentioned she plans to focus on hospitality as the corporate’s core power.
Oyadomari mentioned that returning to reside in Okinawa for the primary time in 40 years has allowed her to personally expertise the heat of native residents, including that the best way folks join with each other is a singular power discovered solely in Okinawa.
The completion of the reconstructed essential corridor of Shuri Castle is scheduled for this autumn, elevating expectations that the tourism business’s momentum will additional enhance the prefectural financial system.
Fuchibe Miki, consultant secretary of the Okinawa Association of Corporate Executives, selected “progress” as her key phrase for the 12 months. She mentioned tourism, a core business, is performing properly, and with the reconstruction of Shuri Castle, much more guests are anticipated. She added that after strongly selling girls’s participation within the workforce, the main target this 12 months will probably be on creating extra alternatives and networks for ladies, combining various strengths to drive financial progress.
Yamashiro Masayasu, president of Okinawa Bank, mentioned regional growth, significantly for distant islands, is crucial to the general progress of the prefectural financial system.
Yamashiro mentioned his guiding phrase is “leave no one behind,” noting that inhabitants decline is extra extreme on distant islands than on the principle island. He harassed the necessity to pay better consideration to those areas, including that with customer numbers exceeding 10 million, the objective is to assist flow into these advantages all through Okinawa, with the OFG group supporting that effort.
Looking forward, the prefectural authorities plans to introduce an lodging tax in fiscal 2026 as a part of efforts to assist sustainable tourism.
At the New Year gathering, contributors shared a standard resolve to strengthen the Okinawa model and understand sustainable tourism, positioning the prefecture’s main business for one more 12 months of dynamic progress.
Source: 沖縄ニュースOTV