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 Junko Kimura, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in content for inbound wealthy travelers at the Matsuyama Branch.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Shimanami area, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. Many Japanese people may not have visited there before. Japan Airlines international flight attendants have set out to discover the charm of the area! We have teamed up with Setouchi Shimanami Reading to participate in a project to add value to inbound tourism content for affluent travelers through a Japan Tourism Agency grant. We, who usually fly on airplanes, took a boat ride, rode a bicycle, and ran around to the sea and mountains to discover the charms of the area!
–How are you involved in this effort?
International flight attendants will personally experience a little luxury tourism content for inbound travelers. Board a luxury cruiser and take a walk on the sea around Omishima, the largest island in Ehime Prefecture. The cruiser provides a constantly changing backdrop, so you can take lots of great photos! On board, you can enjoy a full-course French dinner using ingredients from the Seto Inland Sea. On Omishima Island, we took an e-bike tour of art. Did you know that there are six art museums on Omishima? Did you know that there are various genres of art on display? I rode 30 km, but it took me only a few minutes to complete the half-round trip on my e-bike.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
The Setouchi Shimanami Reading will strengthen its efforts to attract regional visitors (including inbound visitors) and will begin selling new tour products to the world (scheduled sequentially by spring 2024).
JAL Matsuyama Branch will work with local residents to develop local content, foster high-quality tour guides, and promote the region by utilizing various assets such as cross-cultural communication training and private jet arrangements.
–What is your message to travelers?
For some reason, the Shimanami sky is very gentle.
Calm seas. Floating islands.
The Shimanami Sea Route connects these islands.
If you board a boat in Shimanami, you will be enveloped by the scent of the tide.
Riding an e-bike in Shimanami will take you to islands surrounded by calm seas and scenery that you will want to keep in your eyes forever.
I have to go to the Shimanami,
There are some things you can’t encounter.
We look forward to seeing you there!
© Source travel watch
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