Q: What’s the potential impact of JESTA on Aussie travellers and what does it mean for future travel planning?
A: The introduction of Japan’s Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (JESTA) brings a new step to the travel process.
However, with a bit of extra preparation, Aussie travellers can still enjoy a smooth journey. By submitting personal information online before departure, travellers will be more organised and better prepared for their trip.
While it adds a step to your planning, the process itself is straightforward. Travellers will be asked to provide details, such as the purpose of their trip and accommodation, which Japan’s Immigration Services Agency will review.
If everything is in order, the entry remains seamless. In rare cases where there are concerns, such as the potential for overstaying, travellers may need to apply for a visa at their nearest Japanese embassy.
By handling this upfront, any potential issues can be resolved well before departure.
Ultimately, JESTA encourages travellers to be a bit more organised, ensuring their entry into Japan remains as smooth as ever. With proper preparation, it’s simply another step to ensure a stress-free trip.
Q: How does the JESTA system reflect the broader trend of countries implementing stricter rules to curb overtourism?
A: With tourism on the rise, many destinations are struggling with overcrowding, which is placing pressure on local resources.
Japan’s new measures, particularly around overstayers, aim to manage visitor numbers more effectively and encourage responsible travel.
By tightening controls, Japan is working to prevent long-term strain on its infrastructure and ensure tourists follow the country’s guidelines.
Other popular tourist destinations are taking similar steps. Venice recently introduced a tourist tax for day visitors, while Amsterdam increased its tourist tax to 12.5% in 2024 and restricted tourist buses and cruise ships.
These efforts are designed to manage the impact of short-term visitors and promote sustainable tourism.
In Japan, additional measures reflect this approach, with Kyoto banning tourists from parts of the geisha district due to reports of bad behaviour. While there’s no tourist tax, visitors can face fines of up to 10,000 yen for taking non-consensual photos of geishas.
Mount Fuji also introduced a daily visitor cap of 4,000 people in July this year, along with a 2,000 yen fee for climbers, to reduce strain on the site and keep it clean.
For travellers, this means being more mindful of these new rules. Recent research from Intrepid reveals that 71% of Aussies are concerned about overtourism and crowding in popular tourist spots, with 74% indicating that these issues impact their desire to visit certain destinations.
However, with thoughtful planning and respect for local guidelines, tourists can still enjoy these beloved locations while also helping to protect the environment and the communities they visit.
Q: Intrepid Travel is all about promoting responsible tourism so you’d be in favour of measures such as these?
A: At Intrepid Travel, we’re focused on promoting responsible tourism and we see the JESTA system in Japan as a step in that direction.
By managing visitor numbers and preventing overtourism, it helps preserve the beauty and authenticity of places, ensuring they stay special for future travellers.
The JESTA system encourages thoughtful planning and allows visitors to engage more meaningfully with Japan’s cultural and natural treasures.
By embracing systems like this, we can work hand-in-hand with local governments to ensure that tourism contributes positively to local economies without compromising their long-term sustainability.
It’s about finding the right balance, allowing people to enjoy incredible, authentic adventures while ensuring that tourism doesn’t overwhelm the places we all love to explore.
Our annual Not Hot List also aims to inspire travellers to explore lesser-known destinations that can truly benefit from more visitors.
These spots include the Anti-Atlas Mountains in Morocco and emerging destinations like Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan and Cape York in Australia.
By directing travellers to these off-the-beaten-path locations, we aim to ease the pressure on popular tourist spots and promote sustainable travel practices.
To support these destinations, we’ve introduced new trips that allow travellers to connect with local communities. This includes unique experiences such as trekking in Greenland and visiting artisans in Ghana.
