Japan's Travel Industry "Elated" Over Olympics

Above, the shinkansens and the rest of Japan's transit system should be able to absorb the influx of visitors.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japanese tourism industry sees the awarding the the 2020 Olympics Summer Games as a big boost to the economy.

The Japan Times posted:

The tourism industry is cheering the news that Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Olympics since the major sporting event is certain to become a money-making bonanza. 

“The anticipated increase in foreign visitors will have a significant effect on the Japanese economy,” said an official of major travel agency JTB Corp. 

The capital’s hosting of the first Summer Games in 56 years is expected to be a tailwind for the government’s goal of boosting the annual tourist count to 10 million in 2013 and over 30 million in 2030. 

“I’m pleased that Japan was again granted a chance to gather the world’s attention. Our industry will work as one to make Japan a tourism-oriented country,” said Jungo Kikuma, chairman of the Japan Association of Travel Agents.

There are concerns that the Olympics will cause major traffic jams and overtax the transit systems:

The already heavy traffic jams that plague central Tokyo are expected to get even worse as the public transportation system is forced to absorb an estimated 10.1 million extra staff and tourists from Japan and abroad for the athletic spectacle. 

Tokyo, however, believes that no new roads or railway lines will have to be built, thanks to its sophisticated transport networks covering highways, expressways and train and subway lines.

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