Allianz Partners has announced the results of its “Allianz Global Travel Confidence Index 2026” survey. The findings showed that while Japanese consumers are taking fewer trips, their intention to spend on luxury experiences is the highest among the countries surveyed.
Thirty-two percent of Japanese consumers are planning to travel during the year-end and New Year holiday period, the lowest proportion among all markets surveyed. On the other hand, 48% of travelers said they intend to spend more on luxury travel experiences, the highest figure among the countries surveyed.
Regarding attitudes toward travel, more than 84% said it is important to take a vacation every year. However, concerns over costs remain strong: 76% of those planning a trip are concerned about rising travel expenses, while 58% are concerned about their own financial situation. Sixty-five percent said they would cut back on non-essential spending to fund a vacation, and 46% said they plan to scale back their travel plans. Among those not planning to travel, 50% cited not wanting to spend money, while 21% said travel is too expensive.
The most popular experiences for increased spending were concerts, festivals, and entertainment events at 36%; event-driven travel and special occasions at 35%; spa and wellness vacations at 30%; and sporting events at 25%. In addition, 47% said they have used or plan to use AI tools for travel planning.
At the same time, concerns about risks that could disrupt travel are also high. The main concerns were extreme weather events at 59%; public health risks at 53%; travel delays and cancellations at 53%; cyber risks while traveling at 53%; and safety and security concerns at 51%. Furthermore, 61% said that environmental and climate change-related risks influence their choice of travel destination.
However, travel insurance enrollment remains low. Forty-two percent said they already have travel insurance or plan to purchase it for their next trip, while 40% said they do not intend to purchase it. Sixty-seven percent said more affordable pricing would encourage them to buy it. The main motivations for purchasing insurance were peace of mind and security at 81%; protection against unexpected disruptions at 80%; coverage for baggage issues at 74%; overseas medical expenses at 73%; and trip cancellation costs at 71%.
Tomokazu Kaneko, Managing Director of Allianz Partners Japan, said, “This shows that Japanese travelers are not simply taking fewer trips; they are becoming increasingly selective about their destinations. As travelers invest in higher-value experiences, protecting those trips is becoming ever more important.”
The survey was conducted online from September 25 to October 9.
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