Japan’s top hoteliers and tourism professionals are preparing to meet next week for the inaugural AHICE Far East Asia on Wednesday, September 5.

The half-day event at The Tokyo EDITION hotel in Toranomon will unite leaders from the hotel, aviation, and tourism sectors to discuss challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving market.

Limited final tickets available here.

The stellar speaker lineup features Delta Air Lines Managing Director and President – Japan, Victor K. Osumi, IHG Hotels and Resorts Managing Director, Japan and Guam, Abhijay Sandilya, Marriott International Area Vice President – Japan and Guam, Karl Hudson, and Radisson Hotel Group Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer, Elie Younes, to name a few.

Panel session featuring industry experts will cover hot topics including the development outlook for Japan for 2024 and beyond, an operators’ outlook; and what’s next for Japan, covering upcoming brand debuts and more.

View the full program here.

A recent report by STR on Japan’s hotel market shows impressive growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR) over the past 15 months amidst above-average inflation and an influx of international demand following its later reopening post-pandemic.

“Even as the ADR index continues to climb, the occupancy index has languished at around -10% for the past six quarters, suggesting that present-day occupancy levels are the new baseline for Japan,” STR says.

“Occupancy growth has largely stabilized across all days of the week, further supporting this theory. Weekends are slightly weaker – befitting the end of revenge travel – but there’s not significant variance in growth levels between days of the week.

“In other words, there’s no lopsided or single demand driver propelling the industry and putting future demand growth at risk.”

ADR growth is stabilised, although much stronger and with less deceleration in growth.

“Historically, pricing power in Japan has correlated with high actual occupancy levels. With present levels still 10% below their historic average, the extreme ADR growth stands out,” STR said.