Expanding the Potential of the Travel Industry to Solve Social Issues
Japan Travel Agency, Inc.
President and Representative Director
Etsumitsu Koyano
We wish you a very Happy New Year!
Looking back on the year 2022, travel demand continued to fluctuate in response to the wave of new coronavirus infections, but at the same time, there was an accelerated movement toward normalization of economic activities to keep up with the rest of the world. In particular, the national government’s “no blanket restrictions” policy in the summer and the launch of the “nationwide travel support” and “waterfront relaxation” programs in October helped push back consumers who had been hesitant to travel, and served as a major driving force in the recovery of travel demand. It was a very encouraging message for the travel industry, whose business is transportation and exchange, and from that time on, both consumers and operators have been able to think for themselves what is best for them now and move proactively in terms of both action and risk.
In the domestic travel industry, the “National Travel Support” program, a support measure for the tourism industry, will continue into 2023. In the midst of the severe economic situation in Japan, we are very grateful for the support and the expectations for the potential of the tourism industry. While it is true that there are still many management issues to overcome, we are positive that this will be an opportunity for everyone involved in travel and tourism throughout Japan to regain their vitality. We will continue to promote a new style of travel and customer experience that is linked to social issues, including sustainable tourism, and that encourages travelers to change their own behavior, rather than just sightseeing.
Also, we have seen many foreign tourists on the streets of Japan again after a two-and-a-half year absence. Although it will be a long road to full recovery, interest in Japan remains high, and we are receiving inquiries daily from overseas travel agencies regarding the creation of tours during the cherry blossom season, which is the pride of Japan. From now on, we, as a travel agency, will carefully and attentively communicate the new travel style of Japan to make foreign travelers feel comfortable to stay in Japan and to be accepted by local communities, and to create a positive link between foreign travelers and local residents. We believe that it is our job to create an environment that promotes understanding of the accelerating resumption of inbound travel.
Since the Corona Disaster of 2020, we have been taking on the challenge of expanding the possibilities of the travel industry, which we have positioned as a “solutions business,” in order to survive as a company amid evaporating travel demand, and in conjunction with new keywords emerging in society such as SDGs, DX, and Metaverse, we have been working to solve social issues by forming alliances with companies and organizations in a variety of fields. We have been working to solve social issues by forming alliances with companies and organizations in various fields and utilizing the resources we have cultivated in the travel industry. In the process, we have had the opportunity to work with central government ministries and agencies, local governments nationwide, and many local communities. In the midst of this major trend to promote tourism as a key national industry, I was reminded once again that the role and functions of “tourism” are closely related to the local economy, including attracting inbound tourism, and that it has unparalleled value that can greatly contribute to solving local issues. I have felt the expectations from every corner of the country. From now on, we will continue to promote the realization of value sought by customers and local communities, in other words, to help solve social issues, and from a higher perspective, to solve issues linked to national strategies. We are determined to become a company that can contribute to the future of society by linking our tourism business, which is the foundation of our company, with the solutions business, which continues to challenge us.
We look forward to your continued support and encouragement in the coming year.
© Source travel watch
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