August 2024
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Keikyu Corporation and ecbo Form Capital and Business Alliance: Launch of Same-Day Baggage Delivery Pilot Program at Haneda Airport Terminal 3
(Source : ecbo Co., Ltd.) ecbo Co., Ltd. has entered into a capital and business alliance with Keikyu Corporation and has begun a pilot program for a "Same-Day Baggage Delivery Service for Inbound Foreign Tourists" at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station starting from August 19, 2024.
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Tourism Project with an Eye on Yakushima’s Future: Yakushima University Project Selected as a Tourism Agency Model Project
(Source : Yakushima Academy) The "Yakushima University Project," organized by the Yakushima Academy, has been selected for the Japan Tourism Agency's FY2024 "Sustainable Tourism Content Advancement Model Project" and is set to begin its demonstration phase. This project aims to strengthen the interpretative skills of guides by introducing the rich natural and cultural heritage of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from various perspectives. Specifically, the project will share the essence of Yakushima’s regional resources through online events, in-person events, and original tours.As part of a broader digital transformation (DX) effort, the project will also implement AI chatbots and leverage Starlink’s satellite communication services to expand information dissemination channels. This is intended to better meet the increasing needs of inbound tourists.
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【JNTO Announcement】Record-High Number of Inbound Visitors to Japan in July 2024: Major Markets, Led by China, Show Steady Recovery
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of inbound visitors to Japan in July 2024 reached 3,292,500, marking a 41.9% increase compared to the same month last year and a 10.1% increase compared to July 2019. This result surpasses the 2,991,189 visitors recorded in July 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, by approximately 300,000, setting a new record for the second consecutive month. The cumulative number of inbound visitors to Japan up until July 2024 has reached 21,069,900, surpassing the 20 million mark at the fastest pace ever recorded.
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Showcasing Sano City to the World: A New Approach to Inbound Tourism, the Local Living Tour
(Source:NPO ZESDA) In Tochigi Prefecture's Sano City and its surrounding areas, a new initiative called the "Local Living Tour" was launched in August 2024, aimed at showcasing the charms of Japan's rural regions to inbound tourists. This tour is part of an effort to encourage the growing number of foreign visitors to explore beyond famous destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, and to discover the lesser-known areas of Japan.
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Seeking Coolness: Ranking of Japan’s Most Popular Summer Resorts
(Based on materials from Hankyu Travel International) As the scorching heat of summer continues to intensify, many people are considering a trip to a cooler destination to escape the oppressive humidity. In response to this, Hankyu Travel International conducted a survey on domestic summer resorts, highlighting their unique characteristics, popularity, and the reasons behind their appeal.
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Hotels.com Survey: The Time Japanese People Spend Choosing Accommodations and the Reasons Behind It
(Based on Hotels.com Materials) Hotels.com conducted an international survey on "hotel selection" across 10 regions worldwide. According to this survey, Japanese people rank second, just behind Mexicans, in enjoying the process of booking hotels for travel, with over 80% of respondents stating that they enjoy the hotel reservation process.
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Encounter Bears and Flying Squirrels in the Karuizawa Forest—’Karuizawa Nature Stay’ to be Held in Fall 2024
(Source: Hoshino Resorts) Hoshinoya Karuizawa, located in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, will host the eco-tour "Karuizawa Nature Stay" from October 1 to November 30, 2024. This eco-tour, developed in collaboration with PICCHIO, which conducts wildlife research and eco-tours in Karuizawa, is based on Hoshino Resorts' history and philosophy of valuing nature and culture. The program is centered around the concept of "staying in a valley village" and allows participants to enjoy and learn about the rich natural environment of the Hoshino area, celebrating Hoshino Resorts' 110th anniversary.
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Challenges Toward a Sustainable Society: Nomura Real Estate Expands Resource Recycling Services in Collaboration with ECOMMIT
Posted on 2024.08.19(Source:Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc. ) Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc. has signed a business collaboration agreement with ECOMMIT Co., Ltd. to promote resource recycling efforts. This partnership will launch new initiatives contributing to a circular economy and CO₂ reduction. Specifically, Nomura Real Estate will install dedicated collection boxes for unwanted clothing and miscellaneous items at its commercial facilities and hotels. Additionally, in hotel rooms, cards will be provided for guests to indicate items they no longer need.
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Exploring New Personas in Luxury Travel: Trends in the Asia-Pacific Region
(Source: Marriott International) Marriott International conducted a survey on luxury travel among 1,202 affluent individuals across six countries: Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and India. The survey revealed the latest desires and travel preferences of affluent travelers in the Asia-Pacific region.
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The Fascination of Moss Learned at Oirase Gorge: The Mysteries of Nature Experienced by Junior High School Students
(Source: Hoshino Resorts) At "Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel" in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, a special event was held on August 10th, known as "Moss Day," specifically for junior high school students. This event offered participants the chance to deepen their understanding of the local natural environment and its unique charm through hands-on experiences with moss.
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Tokyu Resorts & Stay: Building the Future of the Service Industry with Its First Large-Scale Recruitment of Foreign Workers
(Source:Tokyu Resorts & Stay Co., Ltd. ) Tokyu Corporation and Tokyu Resorts & Stay Co., Ltd. have started a large-scale recruitment of foreign workers with specific skills to address labor shortages in their accommodation businesses, including "Tokyu Harvest Club" and "Tokyu Stay," which are developed and operated by the two companies.
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Coexisting with and Preserving Miyakojima’s Environment: 5 Years of HOTEL LOCAL BASE
（Source: Lightec Co., Ltd.） Lightec Co., Ltd., a company long engaged in the manufacturing and sales of disposable lighters, has announced the 5th anniversary of its resort hotel "HOTEL LOCAL BASE" located in Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture. In recent years, Lightec has been focusing on addressing environmental issues in Okinawa, particularly in Miyakojima—a small island surrounded by beautiful seas but burdened by large amounts of marine debris, especially plastic waste. In response to this issue, Lightec began actively tackling environmental challenges in 2019, using "HOTEL LOCAL BASE" as a base for these efforts in Miyakojima.
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Student-Run Accommodation ‘Fantasy Forest Atami’ Opens in Atami
（Source: OLIOLI-WORKS LLC） On August 1, a new accommodation facility called "Fantasy Forest Atami," managed by a project team of two Tokyo-based companies and university students, opened its doors. The facility is primarily operated by students, giving them the opportunity to gain practical business skills from a managerial perspective while running the day-to-day operations. This unique initiative is designed to revitalize the local area and support the development of the younger generation, bringing new energy to the community.
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The Cycle of Life at the Foot of Mount Fuji: Hoshinoya Fuji’s Special Autumn Program
（Source: Hoshino Resorts） Hoshinoya Fuji, operated by Hoshino Resorts, will be hosting a "Hunting Experience Tour" over six sessions from October 3 to December 12, 2024. The tour is designed to provide adults with a deeper understanding of the cycle of life through hunting observation and participation. Now in its eighth year, the tour introduces a new program called "Forest Walks in Touch with Nature," allowing participants to feel even closer to the natural environment.
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Add to Your Travel List! Ranking of Japan’s Rapidly Rising Popular Island Destinations
(Created Based on Materials from Review Co., Ltd. ) The information media "Sublogg," operated by Review Co., Ltd. , conducted a survey in July 2024 among Japanese individuals aged 20 and older, asking which Japanese islands they would most like to visit. The survey was conducted online, with 100 participants in total, consisting of 60 women and 40 men.
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Experience Japan’s Seasonal Traditions! Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel’s New Project “EXPLORE SHIBUYA”
（Source: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel） To respond to the growing demand from foreign visitors, Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel will pre-launch the "EXPLORE SHIBUYA" project starting August 7, 2024. Shibuya, a city where the bustling scramble crossing and Center Gai coexist with the serene Meiji Shrine and its sacred forest, is a tourist destination where cutting-edge trends intersect with traditional culture. Additionally, Shibuya attracts many with its live houses, museums, and theaters, making it an entertainment city. The "EXPLORE SHIBUYA" project aims to express the charm of this city as a "fusion of tradition and cutting-edge" and "exciting extraordinary experiences."
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Kyoto City: Utilizing a 100-Year-Old Kyomachiya as Lodging Facility and Company Housing
Since the 2020 fiscal year, the city of Kyoto has been implementing the "Kyomachiya Rental Model Project." This initiative involves leasing traditional Kyoto townhouses (Kyomachiya) from their owners and subleasing them to private businesses for renovation and use. The project aims to leverage private sector resources to preserve and utilize these historic buildings. Recently, a more than 100-year-old Kyomachiya in Shimogyo Ward has been selected as the third project under this model. It will be renovated and used as a combined lodging facility and company housing.
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Travel Trends 2024: Enjoy Silver Week with “Look-Alike Destinations”
（Based on data from Expedia） Expedia has announced five emerging travel destinations for Silver Week 2024, highlighting one of the travel trends for the year: "look-alike destinations." These destinations resemble popular tourist spots in terms of atmosphere and activities and can often be visited at a more affordable price.
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Initiatives for Food Education to Pass On to Future Generations: Rice Harvesting Experience Event at NASPA New Otani
(Source: HRT New Otani Co., Ltd.) As part of its SDGs initiatives themed around food education, NASPA New Otani will host its 24th rice harvesting experience on Monday, September 16, 2024, a national holiday. This rice harvesting experience, held in Minamiuonuma, one of Japan's premier rice-producing regions, offers agricultural experiences from rice planting to harvesting using "Minamiuonuma Koshihikari" rice from the Shiozawa area. It has established itself as a family-friendly agricultural event, where participants can witness the growth of Japan’s top-brand rice from seedlings to full-grown stalks, thanks to the unique climate of the mountainous terrain and the temperature differences between day and night.
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Hilton Kyoto Achieves Japan’s First 5-Star “DBJ Green Building Certification” for Environmental and Social Consideration
(Source: Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd) Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd. has developed the "Hilton Kyoto," a building that has received the "DBJ Green Building Certification (Plan Certification)" as a top-class building in terms of "environmental and social considerations" in Japan. This certification was established by the Development Bank of Japan Inc. and is a system that comprehensively evaluates environmental initiatives through real estate. Notably, the achievement of receiving the highest rank of 5 stars and obtaining certification at the planning stage is a first for a hotel.
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Analysis of Business Hotels in Chuo Ward, Tokyo! Latest June 2024 Edition
Distribution of Existing Business Hotels in Chuo Ward, Tokyo According to MetroEngines Research, the distribution of existing business hotels in Chuo Ward, Tokyo is as follows:Source: MetroEngines Research Trends in the Number of Existing Business Hotel Facilities in Chuo Ward, Tokyo 39.2% Increase in Existing Business Hotel Facilities in Chuo Ward, Tokyo The number of existing business hotel facilities in Chuo Ward, Tokyo increased by 39.2%. There was an increase of 38 facilities over five years, from 97 facilities in January 2019 to 135 facilities as of June 2024.
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Latest as of June 2024! In-depth explanation of newly opened facilities in Chuo Ward, Tokyo
Distribution of newly opened facilities in Chuo Ward, Tokyo According to MetroEngines Research, the distribution of newly opened facilities in Chuo Ward, Tokyo is as follows:Source: MetroEngines Research The keyword for newly opened facilities in Chuo Ward, Tokyo is "redevelopment projects" Many of the newly opened facilities in Chuo Ward are part of redevelopment projects. These are presumed to be part of efforts to improve urban functions in the area, revitalize the economy, and anticipate increased inbound demand.