Posts
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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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Industry Survey of the Hotel Sector: Guests’ Forgotten Items, Requests, and the Provision of Special Services
(Source : Hotels.com) Hotels.com conducted its annual "Hotel Room Insights – International Survey on Hotels," gathering responses from over 400 hotels across 15 regions worldwide. This survey explored various topics, including guests' forgotten items, unusual requests, and hotel perks.
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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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AI-Powered Summer Travel: Relaxation and Digital Detox Among Popular Trends for 2024
AVA Intelligence Inc., which provides the travel planning service "AVA Travel" powered by AI, conducted a survey of users who used AVA Travel to create travel plans for this summer (July to September 2024) after January 2024.
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The Relationship Between Japanese Culture and Inbound Tourism: The Interaction Between Cross-Border E-Commerce and Tourism as Shown by BEENOS
BEENOS Inc. conducted a survey on the awareness of cross-border e-commerce (EC) and Japanese culture among 1,821 overseas customers who use the company's international purchase support service, Buyee. This survey aimed to explore how international consumers perceive Japanese culture and cross-border EC, focusing on areas related to the newly announced Cool Japan Strategy, offering a different perspective from Buyee’s purchase data.
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To Escape the Scorching Heat! Five “Cool Destinations” Both Domestic and International
(Based on materials from Hotels.com) Hotels.com has released its top five "cool destinations" to help travelers beat the intense heat of 2024, both within Japan and internationally. Since Tokyo recorded its first extreme heat day of the year, the relentless high temperatures have driven many people to seek refuge in cooler resorts across the country. This trend is clearly reflected in the over 20% increase in searches for well-known summer retreat areas like Gotemba in Shizuoka Prefecture, Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, and Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture, suggesting that many are eager to escape the sweltering heat.
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Teikoku Databank Survey: Recovery in Tourism Demand, but Labor Shortages Challenge the Ryokan and Hotel Industry
Teikoku Databank conducted a survey and analysis on the business conditions of 931 companies in the "Ryokan and Hotel" industry, based on the company's proprietary Corporate Credit Report (CCR) files.
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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.