Travelers over Christmas, New Year's holidays set to hit record levels

The number of Japanese travelers is expected to reach a record 30.53 million this holiday season, up 2 percent from a year earlier, according to major travel agency JTB Corp.

The number of people taking a trip within Japan will come to about 29.83 million, up 2 percent, while those traveling abroad will reach roughly 695,000, up 2.1 percent, both the highest since the survey began in 1969, JTB said.

The agency attributed the increase to longer consecutive holidays this season, up to nine days, as well as a rise in employee winter bonuses.

Popular domestic destinations include the area around Mount Fuji, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site this year, and Kyushu, where a high-profile luxury train recently debuted, JTB said.

Overseas, Southeast, Asia including Indonesia and Malaysia, are expected to draw a lot visitors, in addition to Europe and Hawaii.

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