*JTB forecasts Japaneseoverseas travelers will reach 17.4 million for 2005

JTB released the travel forecast for 2005 on January 6, reporting that the number of Japanese overseas travelers will increase by 3.6% to 17.4 million over 2004. The aftermaths of tsunami disaster in Southern Asia may not give a large effect to the travel industry because Japanese travelers for the region usually account for just 2% of all travelers, according to the JTB report. The report also finds thatthe number of foreign visitors to Japan will largely up 16.4% to 7.1 million over 2004, and the number of domestic travelers will slightly increase by 1.9% to 327 million over 2004.

This Week Headline
*JTB forecasts Japanese overseas travelers will reach 17.4 million for 2005
*Group tourist visa will be issued in the whole China during Aichi Expo
*JATA Chairman determines to accomplish the goal of 17 million overseas travelers
*Administrative Vice Minister intends to increase charter flights for Kimpo
*JAL and ANA will introduce fuel surcharge on international flights
*ANA will expand code-sharing operations with Asiana
*Airlines reduced seats and passengers of domestic flights for November
*Narita marked the most monthly passengers ever in November
*Kansai recovered well internationalflight passengers for November