An effort to entice Japan tourists to return to the Cotswolds

Japan tourists were bringing in £14 million a year to the South West economy just a few years prior to the pandemic

Since then, the number has decreased, which is why local officials have been showcasing the Cotswolds to Japanese tour companies for the past week.

Highlights included a lesson in British etiquette and a visit to Chavenage House, the Grade I listed Elizabethan manor where Poldark and Disney’s Rivals were filmed.

It is envisaged that the visit will bring the number of Japanese tourists back to the average of 25,000 per year before the pandemic.

According to the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics, that number fell by 80% in 2023, and those who did travel spent only £2 million at local establishments.

A woman in the center of a scrum of Japanese tour operators uses a pink phone to take a selfie. They are standing outside an old stone structure that is cream in color, and everyone is wearing coats.

Japan Vacation in the Cotswolds, the tour operators snap a selfie.

“We are working so hard to get those Japan visitor numbers back up, especially with visits to the Cotswolds, which they know and love so much,” she added.

He went on to say that the South West’s whole tourism economy was worth £1.5 billion.

A happy Japanese woman is staring straight at the camera.

“Very beautiful” is how travel agency Tamami Hagihara described the landscape.

According to Tamami Hagihara, who works for the Japanese tourism agency ATI, she will be informing her clients about the trip.

“I will tell them about the very beautiful scenery and landscapes, the local food and that the people are very kind,” she stated.

She continued: “Japanese people love to learn about the history of places they visit.”

A blonde woman is staring straight into the camera. She has on a brown and gold tweed jacket.
The guests learned British manners from Emma Dupont.

Following a walking tour of Cirencester, Emma Dupont from Exquisite Cotswolds gave the group a course on British manners.

Guests learned the proper way to “cheer” and which utensils to use when.

“A wonderful opportunity to showcase British heritage and customs in a lighthearted and immersive manner,” according to Mrs. Dupont.

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