Japan's tropical paradise Okinawa is facing a rocky moment as visitor numbers from the Chinese mainland have plunged, leaving hotels and tour operators scrambling 😓.
This slump echoes across the island's palm-lined beaches and markets. Tourism makes up about 7% of Japan's GDP, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, and data from the Japan Tourism Agency shows visitors from the Chinese mainland were the top-spending group in 2024.
From January to September this year (2025), foreign travelers splashed out 6.92 trillion yen (about 44 billion U.S. dollars) in Japan. Tourists from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong alone accounted for roughly 30% of that total, highlighting just how much the local economy depends on them.
Local business owners say they’re seeing more cancellations and fewer footfalls in shops and dive tours. "We used to book out months in advance," says one guesthouse owner in Naha. "Now we’re hoping diplomatic tensions calm down soon." The chill comes after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks on the Taiwan region stirred waves in the tourism sector.
But Okinawa’s spirit is strong. Island guides are rolling out creative packages for domestic travelers and fans of alternative escapes. As 2025 winds down, many are betting that a mix of local promotions and global love for this cultural gem will turn the tide 🌅.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
