This year’s Golden Week will be 10 consecutive holidays due to the new imperial era “Reiwa.” According to JTB Press Release (April 4th, 2019), the number of people traveling this year is the highest in history both domestic and overseas. But what surprises me the most is the percentage of people who do not travel.
According to JTB’s research, it’s less than 30% of people who will or probably will travel during Golden Week. That means more than 70% of people will end staying home without going anywhere. That number is way higher than I expected. Are you surprised too?
Considering the fact that people who answered “Probably yes” might end up not doing anything can fall into “No”, it makes the % of people staying home even bigger. WOW!!!
The top reasons why people are not traveling are the following.
JTB’s research “What are the reasons for not traveling during Golden Week this year?”(multiple answers possible)
- Too crowded during Golden Week (46.9%)
- Too expensive during Golden Week (36.5%)
- Want to relax at home (25.1%)
- Will travel some other time (18.2%)
- Can not take vacation due to work (14.9%)
Top 2 reasons are exactly why my family is staying home this year’s Golden Week. Especially 10 consecutive holidays make it even hard to plan anything.
Golden Week is pretty much the only period Japanese people are allowed to take long vacation. (Japanese people are well known for not taking paid days off.) And if they are not able to travel because it’s too crowded and too expensive to travel during Golden Week, what’s the point of Golden Week?
To me Golden Week is a big NO. It would be much better to spread holidays so people can actually go on a vacation with combining a few paid days off. What is your opinion? Please feel free to leave me a comment to let me know what you think.
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Will you be stuck in the city like us? Here is an article about 7 things to do with your kids if you are stuck in the city.
Happy Golden Week everyone!
