Tokyo:

A barrier erected in Japan to block a popular view of Mount Fuji has been taken down — for now — after succeeding in discouraging unruly tourists, a town official said Tuesday.

Fujikawaguchiko put up the large screen in May after residents complained about streams of mostly foreign visitors causing problems while trying to snap photos of Japan’s famous volcano.

The town lowered the screen on August 15 ahead of a typhoon and has decided not to put it back up.

“We wanted to see what would happen,” the town official told AFP.

“There are still some people who come to the place. But we no longer find many people suddenly rushing out into the traffic to cross the road,” he said.

Pictures taken from the narrow pavement in front of a dentist’s office were popular online, with the snow-capped mountain rising photogenically into the sky from behind a convenience store.

The town’s struggle with unruly tourists made international headlines as record numbers of tourists headed to Japan over the summer, creating some opposition among locals.

The Fujikawaguchiko official said the town can put up the screen again if tourists return and cause more problems.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Japan:

Mount Fuji’s summer climbing season began on Monday with new crowd control measures to combat over-tourism on the Japanese volcano’s most popular trail.

An entry fee of 2,000 yen ($13) plus an optional donation is being charged for those taking on the Yoshida Trail, and numbers are capped at 4,000 per day.

Online reservations have also been introduced this year by authorities concerned about safety and environmental damage on Japan’s highest mountain.

“I really like the idea because if you respect the mountain, you have to limit the people,” hiker Chetna Joshi told AFP at the trail’s Fifth Station — a busy starting point for hikers that is reachable by car.

The 47-year-old from India compared the crowds seen at Fuji in recent years to the “traffic jam” of climbers at the peak of Mount Everest.

Although windy and drizzly weather on Monday prevented hikers from reaching the summit, Joshi said ascending part way was still a “great experience”.

“I love mountains. I think it is not giving me permission this time, that’s OK. I accept it,” she said.

Record tourist crowds are flocking to Japan post-pandemic, with many wanting to see or scale Mount Fuji.

The mountain is covered in snow most of the year but draws more than 220,000 visitors each July-September climbing period.

Many trudge through the night to see the sunrise from the 3,776-metre (12,388-foot) summit.

Some sleep on the trail or start fires for heat, while others attempt to complete the hike without breaks, becoming sick or injured as a result.

 ‘Crazy adventure’ 

The once-peaceful pilgrimage site has three other main routes that will remain free to climb.

But the Yoshida Trail — accessed from Tokyo relatively easily — is the preferred option for most holidaymakers, with around 60 per cent of climbers choosing that route.

Each summer, reports in Japanese media describe tourists climbing Mount Fuji with insufficient mountaineering equipment.

The new measures were introduced “first and foremost to protect lives”, governor Kotaro Nagasaki of Yamanashi prefecture has said.

In a reminder of the dangers, last week four bodies were found near the summit, according to local media reports.

“I personally feel like I’ve over-prepared,” Geoffrey Kula, a climber from the United States, told AFP.

“Having looked at the forecast, being ready to swap out multiple outfits if clothes get wet and things like that. Yeah, it just seems like another crazy adventure.”

Tourist hotspot 

Monthly visitors to Japan exceeded three million for the first time in March, and then again in April and May.

The tourism chief has deemed the country’s ambitious goal of attracting 60 million foreign tourists well within reach, having last year welcomed more than 25 million.

Mount Fuji is about two hours from central Tokyo by train and can be seen for miles around.

The mountain is a symbol of Japan that has been immortalised in countless artworks, including Hokusai’s “Great Wave”.

But as in other tourist hotspots, such as Venice — which recently launched a trial of entry fees for day visitors — the influx has not been universally welcomed.

In May, a town near Mount Fuji mounted a large barrier at a popular viewing spot for the volcano in an attempt to deter photo-taking by an ever-growing number of tourists.

Residents were fed up with streams of mostly foreign visitors littering, trespassing and breaking traffic rules in their hunt for a photo to share on social media.

Similar woes have befallen the country’s ancient capital of Kyoto, where locals have complained of tourists harassing the city’s famed geisha.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Srinagar:

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has been officially recognised as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Crafts Council, an official spokesperson said here. The recognition would boost the handloom and handicraft sector, which will benefit tourism and infrastructure development, the spokesperson said.

“This prestigious honour underscores the city’s rich heritage and the exceptional skills of its artisans whose dedication and artistry have earned global acclaim,” the spokesperson said Sunday evening.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the recognition is a testament to the hard work and exceptional talent of artisans and it highlights the cultural richness of Srinagar.

“We are committed to supporting our artisans and ensuring that this accolade translates into tangible benefits for the community,” he said.

Mr Sinha said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown steadfast support for Jammu and Kashmir’s handicraft and handloom sector.

The recognition as a ‘World Craft City’ will have a transformative impact on the handloom and handicraft sector, fostering growth, sustainability, and innovation.

With increased global recognition, Srinagar’s crafts will gain enhanced visibility on the international stage, opening up new markets and opportunities for artisans, the spokesperson said.

The sector is likely to attract greater investment and funding, aiding in infrastructure development and introducing modern techniques while preserving traditional methods, he said.

“Artisans will have access to advanced training programmes and workshops, further honing their skills and fostering innovation in their craft. The increase in demand for Srinagar’s unique crafts is expected to boost production, leading to job creation and improved livelihoods for artisans and their families,” he said.

Tourism in Srinagar is also set to benefit significantly from this recognition. The city is expected to draw more tourists interested in cultural and craft heritage, providing them with immersive experiences of the vibrant artisan communities, the spokesperson said.

He said the city’s cultural and craft heritage will attract tourists seeking authentic experiences, including visits to artisan workshops and cultural events showcasing Srinagar’s vibrant crafts.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bangkok:

Thailand’s government said on Tuesday it had approved longer visa stay periods for tourists, postgraduate students and remote workers, and better visa conditions for retirees, in a move to boost its crucial tourism sector as its economy stutters.

Starting in June, Thailand will allow travelers from 93 countries to stay for periods of 60 days, up from the current 57 nations, while more will also be eligible for visas on arrival, government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke told reporters.

Foreign students will be permitted to stay for an additional year upon graduation, while insurance requirements for foreigners seeking to retire in Thailand will be relaxed, he added.

Tourism is a key driver of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy and a big source of employment.

The new measures come as part of an effort to boost visitors, especially from its main and fastest-growing markets, by extending stay limits to 60 days from 30 days for on-arrival visas.

The validity of so-called “digital nomad” visas for self-employed, remote workers will be extended to five years, from 60 days presently, with each stay limited to 180 days.

Thailand recorded 14.3 million tourists in from January to May 26 this year and is targeting a record 40 million foreign arrivals for the full year, with revenue of 3.5 trillion baht ($95.73 billion).

In pre-pandemic 2019, Thailand welcomed a record 39.9 million arrivals, generating 1.91 trillion baht.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bangkok:

Thailand will waive visa requirements for arrivals from India and Taiwan from next month to May 2024, a government official said on Tuesday, in a bid to draw in more tourists as the high season approaches.

Thailand in September scrapped visa requirements for Chinese tourists, the country’s top pre-pandemic tourism market with 11 million of the record 39 million arrivals in 2019.

From January to October 29, there were 22 million visitors to Thailand, generating 927.5 billion baht ($25.67 billion), according to the latest government data.

“Arrivals from India and Taiwan can enter Thailand for 30 days,” spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said.

India has been Thailand’s fourth largest source market for tourism so far this year with about 1.2 million arrivals after Malaysia, China and South Korea.

Inbound tourism from India showed signs of growth as more airlines and hospitality chains targeted that market.

Thailand is targeting about 28 million arrivals this year, with the new government hoping the travel sector can offset continued weak exports that have constrained economic growth.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Union Budget 2023 incentivised domestic tourism for the middle class, announcing sector-specific skilling and entrepreneurship development to achieve the objectives of the Dekho Apna Desh initiative. Image for representation purpose only.
| Photo Credit: H.S. Manjunath

Upto 50 new tourist destinations will be developed; an information-driven app will be created for tourists; and ‘’Unity Malls” will be set up in State capitals to showcase handicrafts and products with geographical indication (GI) status. These are among the slew of measures announced in the Union Budget for promotion of tourism that will go into “mission mode”, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as she presented the Budget in Parliament on February 1.

There was, however, no increase in Budget allocation which remained at ₹2,400 crore as last year.

Explained | Budget 2023: How is money allocated and where does it come from?

These 50 destinations would be selected through a challenge, and developed as a complete package, using an integrated and innovative approach. The mobile app will provide tourist-friendly information like physical and virtual connectivity, and details on tourist guides, amongst other guidance. A high standard of street food would be ensured, to enhance the tourist experience, Ms Sitharaman said.

The Budget also incentivised domestic tourism for the middle class, announcing sector-specific skilling and entrepreneurship development to achieve the objectives of the Dekho Apna Desh initiative. The scheme was launched as an appeal to the middle class to pick domestic destinations over international ones.

Under another scheme, the Vibrant Villages Programme, tourism infrastructure and amenities will be facilitated in border villages.

The Finance Minister said states will be encouraged to set up a Unity Mall in their state capitals, or the most prominent tourism centre, or the financial capital. These malls would work towards the promotion and sale of each State’s own ODOP (one district, one product) and other handicrafts. They would also provide space for such products of all other States.

“The country offers immense attraction for domestic as well as foreign tourists. There is a large potential to be tapped in tourism. The sector holds huge opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship for youth in particular. Promotion of tourism will be taken up on mission mode, with active participation of States, convergence of government programmes and public-private partnerships,” she said.

Stakeholders in the tourism sector, however, had mixed reactions.

“While we are thankful that the Finance Minister has touched upon developing tourism on a mission mode along with destination development, the Indian tourism, travel and hospitality industry was keenly looking forward to getting the vital infrastructure status, to be treated at par with merchandise exports and to have gotten enhanced support to tourism for global marketing,” Nakul Anand, Chairman, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), said.

Rajiv Mehra, President, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), said measures like development of tourism infrastructure at border villages and the development of 50 tourist destinations was very encouraging, as these would help in the growth of domestic and international tourism in India. He, however added, “None of our demands like rationalization of GST [goods and services tax] on tourism industry, exemption of GST on foreign exchange earnings and refund of tax on shopping under Tax Refund to Tourist (TRT) Scheme on shopping, for which there is already a provision in the GST Act, have been considered”.

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