Inbound
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SPACER and Seibu Holdings Launch Luggage Delivery Service Using Smart Lockers in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area
(Source : SPACER Inc.) SPACER Inc., in collaboration with Seibu Holdings Inc., has begun a trial of its luggage delivery service, "pikuraku PORTER in Tokyo," starting September 2, 2024, in the Tokyo metropolitan area. This service allows tourists to drop off their luggage at smart lockers installed at stations along the Seibu Railway line, from which it is delivered to their hotel on the same day. By simply placing their luggage in one of these lockers, users can travel freely without the burden of carrying their belongings, allowing them to enjoy sightseeing with ease. (Based on materials provided by SPACER Inc.) The service, known as "pikuraku PORTER," involves dropping off luggage at smart lockers located at stations within specified hours, after which it is delivered to the customer’s hotel on the same day. This service has already been launched in the Osaka and Onomichi areas, and the expansion into the Tokyo metropolitan area is expected to attract even more tourists. By reducing congestion and delays in public transportation during peak tourist periods, the service is also expected to contribute to easing issues related to overtourism. Additionally, local residents will benefit from minimized disruptions to their daily lives caused by an...
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Sharp Increase in Awareness of Dual Pricing for Inbound Tourists: Why Over 70% Now Support It
Loyalty Marketing, the company operating the common point service "Ponta," conducted a survey on dual pricing for inbound tourists, targeting individuals in their 10s to 60s. This survey, following a similar one conducted in February 2024, focused on the awareness of dual pricing, where prices for products and services are set higher for inbound tourists than for domestic residents.
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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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【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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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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JNTO Announcement: Record-High June with 3,135,600 Foreign Visitors to Japan
According to a JNTO announcement, the number of foreign visitors to Japan in June 2024 was 3,135,600, marking a 51.2% increase from the same month last year and an 8.9% increase compared to June 2019. This figure exceeds the 2,880,041 visitors in June 2019 by more than 250,000. Additionally, the cumulative number of foreign visitors in the first half of the year reached 17,777,200, surpassing the previous record high of the first half of 2019 by over one million.
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Number of Visitors to Japan in May 2024 Surpasses 3 Million for Three Consecutive Months! – JNTO Announcement
According to JNTO, the number of visitors to Japan in May 2024 reached 3,040,100, a 60.1% increase compared to the same month of the previous year, and a 9.6% increase compared to the same month in 2019. This figure exceeds the 2,773,091 visitors recorded in May 2019 by over 200,000, marking the third consecutive month that the number of visitors to Japan surpassed 3 million.
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Bandai Namco Amusement Produces New Sensation Sports Entertainment Facility “VS STADIUM NAGASAKI” within Nagasaki Stadium City
（Source:Nagasaki Stadium City） Bandai Namco Amusement Inc. announced the opening of a new indoor sports entertainment facility, "VS STADIUM NAGASAKI," within the Nagasaki Stadium City, scheduled to open on October 14, 2024, in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. This facility leverages Bandai Namco Amusement's expertise in developing and operating sports entertainment facilities to complement Nagasaki Stadium City, which consolidates sports venues such as soccer stadiums and arenas. It aims to provide experiential value beyond the enjoyment of watching and supporting sports.
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“Yakushima AI Chatbot” Trial Implementation Begins: New Age Travel Support for Domestic and International Tourists
The Yakushima Academy, a general incorporated association, is currently conducting a trial project for a new travel support tool, the "Yakushima AI Chatbot," as part of the "Model Project for Creating a Sustainable Cycle for Sustainable Tourism (Demonstration Project)" by the Tourism Agency. This chatbot incorporates feedback from local guides and tourists, adapting to and learning from tourists' questions and needs. The aim is to create a system nurtured by both tourists and locals, offering a satisfying travel experience through personalized information provision.
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Journey to a Sustainable Future: Nippon Travel Agency Joins GSTC
(Source: Nippon Travel Agency) Nippon Travel Agency Co., Ltd. announced its membership in the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in January 2024. This membership aligns with the company's commitment to the international standards set for sustainable tourism, which have been developed and managed by the GSTC since its establishment in 2007. The GSTC criteria serve as the global standard for the ongoing promotion of sustainable tourism.