NEWS
詳細Beyond Urban-Centered Inbound Tourism
— Gaia Resort: A Regional Model Welcoming 50,000 International Guests Annually —
Recent inbound tourism rankings released in January 2026 highlight the continued concentration of international visitors in major urban destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
Unfortunately, regions where Gaia Resort operates, including Miyagi and Nagasaki Prefectures, are not listed among the top-ranked destinations.
However, there are regions quietly and steadily building high-quality inbound tourism, beyond what rankings alone can capture.
At Gaia Resort, we currently welcome approximately 50,000 international guests each year.
These visitors mainly come from Europe, Australia, Taiwan, East Asia, and Hong Kong—travelers who seek depth, authenticity, and meaningful experiences rather than mass tourism.
Gaia Resort Official Website
From Quantity to Quality: A Different Path for Regional Tourism
Not appearing in rankings does not mean a lack of appeal.
On the contrary, global travel trends show a clear shift:
- From sightseeing-based consumption
- To immersive stays rooted in local life, culture, and nature
International guests choosing Gaia Resort value:
- Quiet time surrounded by nature
- Locally sourced food and regional cuisine
- Casual yet genuine interactions with local communities
- “Living-like” stays in renovated houses and dispersed accommodations
This style of travel aligns naturally with the Albergo Diffuso concept—treating the entire community as a single, living accommodation—an approach Gaia Resort has implemented through the revitalization of vacant homes and former resort villas.
Expanding Regional Stays Through Collaboration with STAY JAPAN
Gaia Resort has also expanded its reach through collaboration with STAY JAPAN, a platform specializing in community-based accommodations and regional stays.
STAY JAPAN
By transforming vacant houses and underutilized properties into places of meaningful stay—rather than simply affordable lodging—Gaia Resort has created opportunities for travelers to connect deeply with local communities.
Many international guests who stay at Gaia Resort are not looking for famous landmarks alone.
They seek places where people actually live, where tourism has not overwritten daily life, and where a sense of place remains intact.
The Potential of Regions Beyond Rankings
Inbound tourism news often focuses on numbers—how many visitors arrived, how fast tourism has recovered, and which destinations ranked highest.
Related Article (HONICHI / Visit Japan News):
Yet the future of Japan’s tourism lies not only in scale, but in how visitors stay, what they experience, and what they take home with them.
The 50,000 international guests welcomed annually by Gaia Resort may not seem extraordinary at first glance.
But each stay contributes directly to local economies, supports community sustainability, and fosters long-term relationships between regions and travelers.
Shaping the Future of Regional Inbound Tourism
Gaia Group remains committed to:
- A tourism model independent of mass inbound flows
- A balance between local life and tourism
- Creating decentralized gateways for international visitors across regional Japan
Even in places absent from rankings, there exist journeys of genuine value.
Gaia Resort will continue to nurture a next-generation inbound tourism model—quietly, thoughtfully, and sustainably—starting from Japan’s regions.
