admin Japan Airlines (JAL) has introduced a new initiative aimed at encouraging international tourists to explore regions beyond Japan’s well-known cities. As part of an ongoing effort to promote tourism in less-visited areas, JAL is offering free domestic flights to travellers from select countries. This initiative aligns with Japan’s strategy to distribute tourism more evenly across the country, providing visitors with a deeper and more diverse experience of Japan’s culture and natural beauty.
Eligibility and Key Conditions
The free domestic flight offer is available to international visitors from countries such as India, the United States, Canada, China, Australia, and several Southeast Asian nations. To qualify, tourists must book both their international flight to Japan and their domestic flights within Japan through JAL in the same reservation. For most eligible travellers, the domestic flights will be entirely free of charge. However, visitors from the US, Canada, Mexico, and China staying in Japan for over 24 hours will be required to pay a stopover fee of US$100 or ¥300.
This offer provides an excellent opportunity for travellers to visit lesser-known destinations, which are often overshadowed by popular cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. By offering free domestic travel, JAL hopes to draw more attention to Japan’s hidden gems, such as Hokkaido, known for its ski resorts, and Wakayama, home to the sacred Koyasan temple complex.
Boosting Regional Tourism
Japan’s government and tourism authorities have been striving to decentralise tourism in an effort to relieve pressure on heavily visited areas and support local economies in rural regions. The airline’s latest promotion is a step towards achieving this goal by giving tourists the chance to experience Japan’s regional landscapes, culture, and heritage. Visitors who take advantage of this offer can venture beyond the typical tourist path, helping to boost tourism in underexplored regions while enjoying Japan’s rich and varied offerings. This move by Japan Airlines highlights a growing trend in sustainable tourism, where promoting lesser-known destinations can reduce overcrowding in popular cities while benefiting regional economies.
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