Sep 3, 2024

Client News: Japan Receives Glowing Recognitions at the 2023 World Travel Awards

By Trove Content Writer, Hallie Milstein

Claiming four prestigious accolades at the 30th World Travel Awards, Japan has reaffirmed its position among the finest travel destinations in the region and in the world. These honors from "the Oscars of the travel industry" recognize the country’s standing prowess as a leading locale for multiple types of travel, particularly heritage and adventure tourism.

Japan has been named both “Asia's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2023,” and “Asia's Leading Heritage Destination 2023.” Japan Airlines and teamlab Planets TOKYO DMM have additionally been voted the best in the region in their respective, illustrious categories.

Asia’s Leading Adventure Destination

Japan is a wonderland for thrill-seeking travelers. The triumph in this category recognizes the surplus of adventure activities available at travelers’ fingertips in Japan. Among the most noteworthy Japanese sites for adventurers: Mt. Fuji.

Over 200,000 hikers brave Mt. Fuji every year, but travelers can only strive to reach its peak during the summer months. In the winter, snow-boarders and skiers flock to Japan’s mountains where ideal slopes and snow await. The country also overflows with beach and water adventures; Travelers may participate in endeavors including white water rafting, surfing, and diving among manta rays.

Asia’s Leading Heritage Destination

This well-deserved award speaks to Japan’s rich culture and history—both embedded throughout the country and ripe for tourist exploration. Monuments of the country’s heritage offer tourists a transformative cultural experience, including ancient shrines, temples, gardens, and samurai castles. Travelers may also participate in a first-hand experience of Japanese cultural heritage through activities such as visiting a hot spring, celebrating a local festival, taking a classic craft workshop, or attending a sumo exhibition.

Asia's Leading Airline

Japan Airlines (JAL) stands out from competitors for stellar accommodations in its business and premium economy classes. JAL additionally offers exceptional airport lounges, making it the airline of choice for many pleased MICE planners and Japan-bound leisure travelers.

Asia's Leading Tourist Attraction

The teamlab Planets TOKYO DMM is a massively popular international art collective in Tokyo that attracts visitors from around the world and invites them to become part of the exhibit. Before visitors’ eyes and around their bodies, innovative digital art is projected through the attraction to create natural environments. This awe-inspiring exhibit is a must-see attraction for tourists in Tokyo.

National Wins

The World Travel Awards additionally honored several Japanese businesses and hubs with national recognition. These listed winners have been designated as among the best tourism institutions in Japan.  

  • Japan's Leading Boutique Hotel 2023: Aman Kyoto
  • Japan's Leading Business Hotel 2023: ANA InterContinental Tokyo
  • Japan's Leading Car Rental Company 2023: Hertz
  • Japan's Leading City Hotel 2023: Conrad Osaka
  • Japan's Leading Destination Management Company 2023: B Japan Tours
  • Japan's Leading Hotel 2023: Conrad Tokyo
  • Japan's Leading Hotel Suite 2023: Presidential Suite at the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
  • Japan's Leading Online Travel Agency 2023: Rakuten Travel
  • Japan's Leading Resort 2023: ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort
  • Japan's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2023: Frasers Hospitality
  • Japan's Leading Serviced Apartments 2023 - Fraser Residence Nankai, Osaka
  • Japan's Leading Tour Operator 2023: iLoveJapanTours
  • Japan's Leading Travel Agency 2023: JTB
  • Japan's Leading Travel Management Company 2023: FCM Travel - Japan

World Nominations

Trove eagerly awaits more good news to come for Japan. Voting is now open for the 2023 World Travel Awards’ world-wide category of outstanding destinations and tourism partners that dominate on a global scale. Japan and its affiliated businesses and municipalities have been nominated a tremendous 25 times, including the following noteworthy nominations.

  • World's Leading Airline - Business Class 2023 - Japan Airlines
  • World's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2023 - Japan
  • World's Leading City Break Destination 2023 - Tokyo, Japan
  • World's Leading Culinary Destination 2023 - Japan
  • World's Leading Cultural City Destination 2023 - Kyoto, Japan
  • World's Leading Emerging Tourism Destination 2023 - Okinawa, Japan
  • World's Leading Heritage Destination 2023 - Japan
  • World's Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2023 - Tokyo, Japan
  • World's Leading Theme Park Destination 2023 - Tokyo, Japan
  • World's Leading Town Destination 2023 - Shirakawa Village, Japan
  • World's Leading Business Hotel 2023 - The St. Regis Osaka, Japan
  • World's Leading Financial District Hotel 2023 - Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, Japan
  • World's Leading Luxury Business Hotel 2023 - InterContinental Osaka, Japan
  • World's Leading Luxury City Hotel 2023 - Conrad Osaka, Japan
  • World's Leading Resort & Spa 2023 - ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, Japan

Trove is proud to partner with the Japan National Tourism Organization and be involved in the initiative to expand Japan’s bountiful tourism potential. In upcoming years, Trove strives to see Japan awarded the honor of “World's Leading Business Travel Destination.”

Are you a tourism professional looking to gain access to our research? Email us here.

Please fill out this forum to access our newest guides created by our Destination Marketing and Destination Development teams.

Contact Us
What organization do you represent?
Which guide would you like to access?
Thank you!
Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.