Check out the latest Japan hospitality statistics for 2024 and a look ahead at 2025
PART 5 – Japan
In part 1 of the Pulse of the Industry Global edition, we already took a deep dive into the metrics that TrustYou analyzed for the hospitality industry for Q1 and Q2 2024. Now, let’s take a closer look at the Japan hospitality statistics 2024 and industry insights.
Japan, a country renowned for its rich culture and unique hospitality, has faced a dynamic environment within its hotel industry since the start of 2024. From changing consumer preferences to technological advancements and industry trends, the hospitality sector in Japan has been undergoing significant shifts.
Trends in 2024 Tech Integration
The integration of technology into hotel operations has been on the rise, with advancements in contactless check-ins, digital concierge services, and personalized guest experiences. For instance, “Hen na Hotel” in Japan is known for being the first hotel where robots serve as staff members, providing services to guests. This unique and high-tech concept has garnered attention both locally and internationally, making it a standout example of how technology is transforming the hospitality industry in Japan.
Sustainability Initiatives
Japanese hotels have been increasingly focusing on sustainable practices, such as reducing plastic waste, implementing energy-efficient solutions, and promoting eco-friendly amenities.
Rise of Boutique Hotels
The trend towards boutique hotels offering unique experiences and personalized services has gained traction in Japan, appealing to niche markets and experiential travelers.
Challenges Faced Staffing Shortages
Similar to global trends, Japan has also encountered challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled hospitality staff, impacting service quality and operational efficiency.
Tourism Recovery
The hotel industry in Japan has been navigating the effects of the pandemic on tourism, with uncertainties around international travel restrictions and fluctuations in domestic tourism patterns. TrustYou’s Performance Score analysis for Japan shows that these efforts have paid off over the last two years. While in Q1 and Q2 of 2023 the performance score was still at 83 and 83.3 it has increased to 85 for Q1 2024 and just a little lower (84.4) in Q2 2024. This is significantly higher than the global average of 81.7 and 81.5 for the first two quarters of 2024.
Competitive Market
The competitive landscape in Japan’s hospitality sector has intensified, requiring hotels to differentiate themselves through innovative offerings and exceptional guest experiences.
Expectations for 2025 Technology Integration
Further advancements in technology integration are expected, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences through artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics.
Sustainable Practices
Continued emphasis on sustainability practices, including carbon neutrality goals, waste reduction, and eco-friendly certifications to meet evolving consumer preferences.
Revival of Tourism
Anticipation for a resurgence in tourism activities, driven by the easing of travel restrictions and promotional efforts to attract international visitors back to Japan’s diverse destinations. The introduction of immersive cultural experiences and activities, such as forest bathing and ikigai classes at hotels like Azumi in Japan’s Setouchi region, is aimed at providing guests with memorable and enriching stays. By offering these distinctive and culturally immersive experiences, hotels are creating a niche appeal and tapping into the growing demand for authentic and meaningful travel experiences.
What has been particularly identified as a positive impact by travelers in hotels in Japan was vegan food options. TrustYou’s Impact Score analysis shows that hotels that offer a wide range of vegan meals or alternatives, can significantly improve their scores (+5.68). Also, service was identified as being very impactful with +5.05. On the other hand, cleanliness had the biggest negative impact on hotels’ performances in the first half of 2024. Room Cleanliness (-5.69) and Bathroom cleanliness (-4.31) have been identified as the biggest issues that guests identified during their stay.
About TrustYou
TrustYou is on a mission to make guest communication and feedback simpler and more productive. All communication channels, together in one place, is the new way of doing business. Today, customers expect instant responses on their preferred communication channels. As a subset of communication, feedback is the foundation to build better products, services and companies.
TrustYou helps companies win through the power of listening and provides a Guest Experience (GX) Platform that makes listening to customers easy, powerful, and actionable. The platform unlocks the potential of guest feedback and helps to:
- Create unlimited opportunities to listen and respond to guests’ needs.
- Understand all reviews across the web and make better business decisions.
- Publish hotel reviews on the website and on Google and allow positive feedback to influence bookings.
TrustYou empowers companies to earn trust, make better decisions, and ultimately, win.
Find more information on TrustYou and our GX platform on www.trustyou.com.
