Japanese tourism authorities are talking about Okinawa, Japan’s outpost Ryukyu Islands prefecture, as the next Hawaii, with breathtaking beaches, blue skies, amazing natural features and a wide range of shopping, culture and food.
All of that explains why Okinawa, familiar to Americans mostly as a long-time U.S. military outpost, drew 1.5 million foreign visitors last year—and over 6 million Japanese visitors—last year.
Japan in general has been enjoying a tourism surge, and has a target for visitors of 20 million by 2020, when Tokyo will host the Olympics. Continued growth for Okinawa could move that goal along. To do so, though, will require a lot more hotel rooms in the islands, and you’ll not be surprised to know that Hilton, Hyatt and others have opened hotels and are building more.
For more details from JapanToday, click HERE
Photo: Cape Busena, Okinawa (663 Highland / Wikimedia)
