Wendy Tu Tours has put on 50 new departures to Japan in 2024 while warning that a sharp growth in demand plus capacity constraints will make visits “much harder” in the coming years.
The company, one of the UK’s leading operators to Japan, revealed it has almost sold out for 2023 and 2024, citing pent-up demand from the pandemic and interest in the country’s cherry blossoms.
But head of trade sales Gary King said he was pleased to announce 50 additional departures next year, as well as 12 more this autumn.
More: Wendy Wu Tours adds China capacity amid ‘record-breaking demand’
He said: “Given the boom, and unprecedented demand, the message is clear: if you want to travel to Asia in 2024, it’s imperative you book now to avoid disappointment.”
Wendy Tu Tours said interest in Japan’s cherry blossom – or ‘sakura’ – has “skyrocketed” in the past three years, with demand “completely outstretching” capacity.
The operator warned that availability is almost certainly going to get “much harder”, with many travellers faced with having to book at least two or three years in advance.
King said: “Cherry blossom is a huge tourism magnet in Japan during March and April, as is the equally magnificent autumn foliage season in October and November, both of which attract, in a time frame of only a few months, more than 65% of the annual total number of international visitors to Japan, and that’s without accounting for domestic tourism travellers.
“As the UK’s leading all-inclusive specialist tour operator to Japan, with by far the greatest number of departures to Japan throughout the year, we’ve been working closely with the Japanese travel authorities and government administration to ensure customers have the maximum opportunity possible to see the cherry blossom and autumn leaves.”
He added that the demand for Japan is having a knock-on effect throughout Asia. Wendy Wu Tours has added extra departures to China for 2023 and 2024, while 2024 departures for Taiwan and South Korea have more than doubled.
The operator is offering savings up to £500 for trips to Japan and China in 2023 and 2024. To qualify for the 2024 early bird offer or the 2023 late gateway offer, bookings must be made by July 31, 2023.
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