Japan bookings to the United States decreased 16 to 20 percent on average in the second quarter of 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce sponsored Japan Travel Trade Barometer. The primary drivers for the decline were pandemic/epidemic (e.g., H1N1 Flu) and airfare/fuel surcharges. On average, the state of the global economy was rated as a minimal deterrent. The travel trade reported that the exchange rate was the strongest motivator for travel through 2009.

Third & Fourth Quarters: Projected to Continue Double-digit Declines
Japanese firms that promote and sell travel projected Japan bookings to the United States for the third quarter of 2009 to be lower on average, compared to last year. The majority, 73 percent, of the Japan travel trade projected bookings to the United States to decrease in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. On average fourth quarter bookings were also projected to be lower. Fifty-five percent of the Japan travel trade projected bookings to be lower in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The factors that were most likely to deter Japan bookings to the United States during the second half of 2009 were pandemic/epidemic fears (e.g., H1N1 Flu), airfare/fuel surcharges and travel safety concerns as a result of natural disasters occurring in the United States.

Total Japan Arrivals to the United States: Second Quarter 2009

• Second quarter 2009 arrivals from Japan totaled 559,531, down 26 percent compared to second quarter 2008.
• In April 2009 Japan arrivals totaled 215,478, down five percent when compared to April 2008.- Visitation greatly declined in May 2009, totaling only 182,173, down 32 percent when compared to May 2008.
• In June 2009 arrivals from Japan continued to slide reaching only 161,880, down 39 percent when compared to June 2008.

Travel Market Insights conducts the Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany Travel Trade Barometer programs. The U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, is a sponsor and was the initial developer of the barometer program. The Barometer program is conducted with support from the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service and various Visit USA Committees and additional sponsors.

Travel Market Insights conducts the Japan Travel Trade Barometer in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, Sloan Travel and Tourism Industry Center/University of South Carolina, and the National Tour Association. The Japan Travel Trade Barometer program is also conducted in partnership with Japan Travel Marketing and the Japan Visit USA Committee.

The Travel Trade Barometer survey is conducted on a quarterly basis in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany and is available through subscription. Reports sent to subscribers include additional information, such as:
- Bookings - looking at the past quarter and the next two quarters for U.S. and competitive regional destinations;
- Short term bookings for more than five specific categories; and
- Over 15 motivators or deterrents for travel to the United States.