JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving as flight attendants. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We spoke with Haruna Uesugi, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in local visitor attraction events at the West Japan Branch Office.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
On October 28, the Furusato Ambassadors of the West Japan Branch planned and implemented “FURUSA to CABIN,” an event to attract visitors to the region by offering meals and beverages using local products and the attractions of tourist destinations. The title of the event, “FURUSA to CABIN,” was chosen to express our hope that visitors will enjoy the delicious foods of their hometowns in a restaurant that resembles an airplane cabin.
For the first event, Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture, home of the Tajima Stork Airport, cooperated with us to offer a course meal using abundant ingredients from the Tajima area at the restaurant “Bistro ITADAKIMASU” in Namba, Osaka. This article reports on the “FURUSA to CABIN” – TAJIMA ver.
–How are you involved in this effort?
I was in charge of the planning and management of the event, as well as the emcee on the day of the event. We actually visited sightseeing spots and food production areas in the Tajima area to talk with producers and learn how to promote the attractiveness of Tajima’s food.
Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture is so rich in nature that it is home to the stork, a national special natural treasure, and is also rich in delicious foods. On the day of the event, we served a rump steak using the famous “Tajima beef,” fresh vegetables and rice from Tajima, and a course meal that allowed guests to fully enjoy the charms of Tajima. Explanations of the dishes were also provided.
The position of the dishes on the plate is explained by replacing the numbers on the plate with the numbers on a clock, for example, XX at 12 o’clock and XX at 3 o’clock, so that everyone can understand without having to point them out by hand. Also, the flight attendants’ ideas were incorporated into the dessert plates, for example, by applying sauce artwork.
In addition to serving JAL’s original drink “Sky Time” as a welcome drink and making in-flight announcements, the use of tablecloths and crane chopstick rests actually used in business class on international flights and the presentation of boarding tickets were very well received by customers, who felt as if they were on an airplane. The presentation was very well received by customers. In addition, we prepared a variety of programs to let customers learn about the charms of the region while having fun, such as connecting with producers via a live webcast to promote their food products.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
We would be very happy if this event could bring the charm of the region to as many visitors as possible and increase the number of people who visit the area. This was our first attempt, and we faced many difficulties in the process, but we were able to hold the event with the cooperation of many people, including the people of Toyooka City. As JAL Furusato Ambassadors, we will continue to work together with local residents to resolve issues. And we hope you will look forward to the next “FURUSA to CABIN” event.
–What is your message to travelers?
Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture will be in season from now on for Matsuba Crab. In the Kinosaki hot spring area, a popular tourist destination, it is a good time to enjoy visiting out-spa baths.
JAL is now offering a dynamic package tour to Tajima with a discount price as part of the “Hometown Support Discount” program. In addition to popular tourist destinations such as Kinosaki Onsen area, Takeda Castle, known as the castle in the sky with a sea of clouds, and Amanohashidate in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture are also easily accessible! Japan Air Commuter (JAC), a wing of JAL Group, operates flights from Itami Airport.
© Source travel watch
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