Key Facts
• Mastercard Economics Institute revealed Tokyo as the most popular summer destination in 2025.
• Osaka ranked second globally, followed by Paris in third place.
• Rankings were based on global travel and airline data from June to September.
• Japan’s weak yen, at its lowest in 38 years, boosts tourism appeal.
• April 2025 saw 3.91 million foreign visitors to Japan, a 28.5% year-on-year increase.
• Tokyo surpassed Bangkok as the most visited city globally in 2024.
• U.S. and Canadian travelers favor Puerto Rico, ranking it second in North America.
• U.S. cities did not make the global top 15 summer destinations list.
• Japanese travelers increasingly visit Cheongju, South Korea (+1179.2%) and Cappadocia, Turkey (+228.3%).
• Global travel industry growth forecast for 2025 was revised down to 2%-5% due to economic slowdown.
Summary
Mastercard Economics Institute’s 2025 report highlights Tokyo and Osaka as the top global summer travel destinations, driven by Japan’s weak yen and affordability. Tokyo also became the most visited city worldwide in 2024, overtaking Bangkok. April 2025 saw record-breaking foreign visitor numbers to Japan, with a 28.5% increase year-on-year. U.S. and Canadian travelers prefer Puerto Rico for its convenience and tax benefits, while Japanese tourists increasingly explore South Korea and Turkey. Despite these trends, U.S. cities failed to make the global top 15 list, reflecting a decline in international visitors. Economic challenges, including a global slowdown, are expected to impact the travel industry’s growth, with forecasts revised to 2%-5% for 2025.
