10,000 Free Flights to Japan Being Offered by Government to Boost Tourism
Felicia Moursalien — December 4, 2011 — World
References: jnto.go.jp & news.bbc
What better way to kickstart tourism in the Japanese economy than by offering free flights to Japan? After the March 2010 Tsunami ravaged the country, beyond the human toll, tourism has plummeted by 60% and is yet to recover. In fact, the numbers are still in decline and the Japanese government have been looking for innovative solutions to get back on track. What they've come up with is an initiative that would offer free flights for people who were willing to write about their experience.
The initiative is an amazing one. As a travel writer, I can personally attest to the appeal this has, especially for the 20 somethings, post grad demographic who are filled with enthusiasm and adventure but unfortunately lack a budget. This is an age group who is not afraid but more importantly they are the ones that publish all their experiences online as fluidly as they breath oxygen. Beyond blog and magazine articles, there will be loads of exposure on social media networks: pictures on Facebook, tweets etc. that will increase the benefits of their plan. The tourism board in Japan is on a good trail but are yet to fully approve the budget for their initiative. If approved, the free flights to Japan would be available from April 2012 onwards.
The issue also arises that Japan itself is insanely expensive. Having traveled to Tokyo in 2009, everything for travel, from the airport to eating sushi was beyond a typical emerging adult budget. With a few tweaks to its plan, the Japanese government idea to bring tourism in is a great one and may serve as a model for tourism boards across the world looking to increase travel. I along along with bloggers and writers around the globe look forward to seeing what a reconstructed Japan has to offer.
Photo Source: Felicia Moursalien
The initiative is an amazing one. As a travel writer, I can personally attest to the appeal this has, especially for the 20 somethings, post grad demographic who are filled with enthusiasm and adventure but unfortunately lack a budget. This is an age group who is not afraid but more importantly they are the ones that publish all their experiences online as fluidly as they breath oxygen. Beyond blog and magazine articles, there will be loads of exposure on social media networks: pictures on Facebook, tweets etc. that will increase the benefits of their plan. The tourism board in Japan is on a good trail but are yet to fully approve the budget for their initiative. If approved, the free flights to Japan would be available from April 2012 onwards.
The issue also arises that Japan itself is insanely expensive. Having traveled to Tokyo in 2009, everything for travel, from the airport to eating sushi was beyond a typical emerging adult budget. With a few tweaks to its plan, the Japanese government idea to bring tourism in is a great one and may serve as a model for tourism boards across the world looking to increase travel. I along along with bloggers and writers around the globe look forward to seeing what a reconstructed Japan has to offer.
Photo Source: Felicia Moursalien
Trend Themes
1. Boosted Tourism - The Japanese government's initiative to offer free flights to Japan in exchange for travel writing provides a disruptive innovation opportunity to boost tourism in the country.
2. Social Media Exposure - The use of social media networks to showcase travel experiences from the free flights initiative creates a disruptive innovation opportunity for increased exposure and engagement in the tourism industry.
3. Affordable Travel - The Japanese government's plan to make travel more affordable through free flights presents a disruptive innovation opportunity to attract budget-conscious travelers and increase tourism.
Industry Implications
1. Tourism - The free flights initiative by the Japanese government has the potential to disrupt and revitalize the tourism industry in Japan.
2. Travel Writing - The opportunity for travelers to write about their experiences in exchange for free flights creates a disruptive innovation opportunity in the travel writing industry.
3. Social Media Networking - The use of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to share travel experiences from the free flights initiative offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the social media networking industry.
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