In a strategic move to attract more foreign tourists to rural Japan, the government plans to develop luxury resorts in all 35 national parks by 2031. This initiative, uncovered in a TV Tokyo report, seeks to enhance the allure of Japan's natural landscapes and promote sustainable tourism.
Government officials project that the number of foreign visitors to Japan this year will surpass the pre-COVID-19 peak of 31.88 million in 2019.
However, most tourists remain concentrated in major metropolitan areas like Tokyo and Osaka.
To address this imbalance, the government aims to enrich the rural tourism experience by encouraging the development of high-end resorts in all national parks by the 100th anniversary of the national park system in 2031.
Courtesy of the Government of Japan
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to announce this ambitious plan at the government's "Tourism Nation Promotion Ministerial Conference" on the 19th.
"Our goal is to showcase Japan's natural splendor and cultural heritage through these high-end resorts, encouraging tourists to explore beyond the bustling cities," Kishida stated.
In addition to this, the conference will address recent issues related to foreign airlines starting new routes, which have led to frequent disruptions in aviation fuel supply. Measures to be introduced include:
Establish a system to monitor fuel demand at each airport.
Setting up a consultation window for fuel procurement.
Allowing trading companies to import fuel directly to airports.
In other efforts to combat overtourism, six new regions, including Naha and Shodoshima, will be added to the list of 20 pioneering model areas tackling excessive crowding and related challenges.
Furthermore, at Mount Fuji, where restrictions on the number of visitors and the collection of toll fees were implemented on the Yamanashi side starting in July, similar measures have not been enforced on the Shizuoka side due to the presence of national land.
The government plans to support Shizuoka Prefecture in advancing these measures.
As Japan gears up for this transformative initiative, will the allure of luxury resorts in pristine national parks entice more travelers to venture off the beaten path? The answer could shape the future of rural tourism and conservation efforts in Japan.
Source:
TV Tokyo via Yahoo News (Japanese only)
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