Ranking of Countries/Regions Most Wanted to Visit for First-Time Travelers – Hankyu Tourism Announces Survey Results- | Hankyu Tourism News Release

With entry and exit restrictions set to ease from 2022, many people who were unable to plan overseas travel because of the coronavirus crisis are finally thinking about it this year. Some are looking forward to their first trip abroad in a while, while others are excited about their first trip abroad.

So, which country do people who have never been abroad choose as their first outbound travel destination? I found this out in a survey.

(Survey Overview)
Valid replies: 535
Investigation period: April 19, 2023 to April 28, 2023
Research institution: Justsystem Co., Ltd. (using “Fastask”)
Respondents: Men and women in their 20s across the country
Survey method: online questionnaire

Ranking of countries/regions you would like to visit when traveling abroad for the first time

Hawaii (18.1%) tops the list of countries most want to visit for first-time foreign travelers. Asian countries followed, followed by Taiwan (15.8%) in second and South Korea (14.6%) in third. Here we will give you an overview of the top ranked countries and regions.

No. 1 Hawaii

Hawaii tops the list with its beautiful beaches, huge shopping malls, delicious Hawaiian food, and a wealth of things to do. There are many tourists in Japan, and there are many hotels and shops where you can communicate in Japanese, so you will feel safe when choosing a destination for your first overseas trip. There are many famous tourist attractions here, such as Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Ala Moana Center, etc.

2 Taiwan

Taiwan, which is popular as an overseas destination close to Japan, came in second because it takes only two and a half hours from Fukuoka and four and a half hours from Tokyo. “Jiufen” is full of nostalgia, and you can enjoy the dreamy scenery at night; “Shilin Night Market” can enjoy Taiwanese food to the fullest, and the skyscraper with 5 floors underground and 101 floors above ground has many attractive sightseeing spots such as “Taipei 101”.

▼Reference: Taiwan Tourist Attraction Popularity Ranking
https://blog.hankyu-travel.com/newsrelease/2023/01/taiwan.php?p_baitai=9599

third place South Korea

South Korea is famous for local delicacies such as pork belly, cheese chicken cutlet, bibimbap, gimbap, as well as cosmetics and fashion-related shopping.

Besides famous shopping districts like Myeongdong and Dongdaemun Market, people also flock to Jeju Island’s beach resorts, especially in summer. Many people are often exposed to Korean culture through Korean dramas and idols, which may be one of the reasons why it was chosen as one of the top destinations for first-time foreign travel.

fourth place italy

Italy is the country with the most world heritage sites, such as the historic center of Florence, known as the “roofless museum”, the Pisa Cathedral Square, famous for its Leaning Tower, and the Amalfi Coast. It is a country where you can fully enjoy the beautiful scenery, historical sites and fashionable streetscapes.

Italian delicacies such as pizza and pasta are very familiar to Japanese people, and many people want to try them at authentic restaurants.

fifth place australia

When it comes to Australia, the first thing most people think of is nature. Famous for the massive monoliths of Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef area in the world. There is also a zoo where you can get up close and personal with animals such as koalas and kangaroos. Besides diving and snorkeling, you can engage in activities such as golf, horse riding and hot air ballooning.

6th United States

Many people dream of America as a film and play location. In addition to attractions such as New York’s Times Square and Las Vegas, where you can enjoy a truly American vibe, Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first national park with more than 10,000 hot springs and 200 geysers, located on the Canadian border. There are many places where you can enjoy spectacular natural scenery, such as Niagara Falls.

Seventh Nordic country (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland)

Scandinavia has colorful townscapes and rich natural beauty. The Scandinavian countries are easily accessible, and you can even visit four countries in one trip. Manufacturers of many Scandinavian goods and Scandinavian furniture have made their way to Japan in recent years, and Scandinavian design is gaining popularity, making Japan likely to be among the top destinations for first-time overseas tourists. one of the reasons. Moreover, many people hope to see the aurora once in their life.

▼ Reference: Scandinavian Name Recognition Survey
https://blog.hankyu-travel.com/newsrelease/2019/02/northern-eur.php?p_baitai=9599

Eighth place France

France has a lot of overseas tourists. The streets of Paris, the city of flowers, are beautiful, and there are many tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre. There are many world heritage sites in France, and there is also a fantastic water monastery in France-Mont Saint-Michel. Food is also very attractive, you can taste French cuisine, which is one of the three major cuisines in the world, along with desserts and wine.

9th (tie) United Kingdom

London, the capital of the United Kingdom, famous for Big Ben (the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster), has a fascinating historic cityscape. Admire world-famous works of art such as Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and the British Museum’s Rosetta Stone at the National Gallery. There are plenty of hot spots outside of London, such as the Cotswolds with its picture-book vibe, Liverpool with its Beatles ties, and Edinburgh with its medieval cityscape.

Ninth place (tied) Germany

Germany has lovely towns like Rothenburg, castles and palaces like Neuschwanstein, making you feel like you have stepped into a fairy tale world. Participating in seasonal events is also attractive, such as enjoying German beer at an authentic Oktoberfest and visiting the large Christmas markets held in places like Nuremberg and Dresden.

What concerns do you have when traveling abroad for the first time?

We also asked about their concerns about traveling abroad for the first time.

“Conversation in a foreign language” was the most common response at 79%, followed by “safety” (78%) in roughly the same proportion. Nearly half of respondents were concerned about transportation issues such as “using transportation overseas” (48%) and “boarding or connecting flights” (46%). After all, many people seem to have some sort of anxiety when they go abroad for the first time. On the other hand, “infectious disease” is relatively low at 34%, showing that anxiety related to the new crown disaster is decreasing..

About traveling abroad for the first time

When traveling abroad for the first time, the expectations are getting higher and higher. Hawaii is the most popular destination, but there are many options, such as Taiwan, South Korea, the United States and European countries, which are relatively easy to reach.
Hankyu International Travel offers many guided tours abroad, so even first-time travelers can take part with confidence. Choose the country you want to visit and enjoy your first overseas trip.

▼Hankyu International Travel Agency
https://www.hankyu-travel.com/kaigai/?p_baitai=9599
▼Click here for sightseeing guide
https://www.hankyu-travel.com/guide/?p_baitai=9599
▼Click here for Hankyu Tourism International Travel Website
https://www.hankyu-travel.com/?p_baitai=9599

Hankyu Travel Co., Ltd. https://www.hankyu-travel.com/

Release https://blog.hankyu-travel.com/newsrelease/2023/08/goabroad.php

Issuer: Hankyu Hanshin Holdings
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