Japan Offers Free Flights to 10,000 foreigners
By danitykane
@danitykane (3183)
Philippines
October 15, 2011 9:09pm CST
Hi lotters,
I saw on the news the other night that Japan will be offering "free air fare" to 10,000 foreigners to visit the Land of the Rising Sun.
It will start April next year (if it wins government approval) and free flights is done thru application process. It was said that Japan Tourism will allocate 10% of its annual budget to spend on round-trip air-fares to boost tourism in their country.
Although it is a great opportunity for many of us to see Japan and learn about its beauty and culture, there are also risk factors involved. Such as radiation from the nuclear - we don't know if the crisis is really under control or how safe it is to get exposed to small amount of radiation. Plus, there are Japanese bloggers who said that it is better not to spend that much money on tourism rather to help the victims of March 11 disaster which is inevitably true.
What is your take on this? Will you visit Japan if given the opportunity?
Lets say, if you are a Japanese of from Japan, will you support your government to spend that kind of money to boost tourism?
News: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-10/japan-offering-free-trips-to-foreigners/3459548
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/japan-to-give-away-10000-flights-to-kickstart-tourism-2369661.html
Happy Lotting!
It will start April next year (if it wins government approval) and free flights is done thru application process. It was said that Japan Tourism will allocate 10% of its annual budget to spend on round-trip air-fares to boost tourism in their country.
Although it is a great opportunity for many of us to see Japan and learn about its beauty and culture, there are also risk factors involved. Such as radiation from the nuclear - we don't know if the crisis is really under control or how safe it is to get exposed to small amount of radiation. Plus, there are Japanese bloggers who said that it is better not to spend that much money on tourism rather to help the victims of March 11 disaster which is inevitably true.
What is your take on this? Will you visit Japan if given the opportunity?
Lets say, if you are a Japanese of from Japan, will you support your government to spend that kind of money to boost tourism?
News: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-10/japan-offering-free-trips-to-foreigners/3459548
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/japan-to-give-away-10000-flights-to-kickstart-tourism-2369661.html
Happy Lotting!2 people like this
11 responses
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
17 Oct 11
If your concern is about radiation, it would be best to avoid places near the nuclear sites, after all Japan is a big country. If I am Japanese and asked to give my opinion I think my answer would be in support of the project. Personally, I think the project is not only to promote Japan but to stimulate the economy as well. The fares maybe free but tourists normally spend their own money for souvenirs.
@danitykane (3183)
• Philippines
19 Oct 11
hi ybong,
You are definitely right.
We can't over look the possibility that it could help their economy big time. Not only because of the money they can generate through visitors but the image it could give to others who are scared of investing to Japan and even those you are avoiding to visit their country due to the disaster and the radiation.
We can't over look the possibility that it could help their economy big time. Not only because of the money they can generate through visitors but the image it could give to others who are scared of investing to Japan and even those you are avoiding to visit their country due to the disaster and the radiation.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
16 Oct 11
I would love to visit Japan on a free airline ticket. However it is a case of bad timing because I have booked a trip from mid March until mid April. I couldn't get my disabled son any more time off school. I hope that it promotes tourism to Japan. I would like to buy a rail pass and travel around the whole of Japan not just stay in Tokyo. I feel that Kyoto would be more interesting and beautiful than busy Tokyo.
@danitykane (3183)
• Philippines
17 Oct 11
hi maximax,
I heard that Kyoto is an interesting place to visit. I also wanna see Tokyo and I'm very curious about Japanese fashion..lol..
I find them really cool and very fashion forward. Wow, you are travelling again..cool! Where are you going?
I also wanna see Tokyo and I'm very curious about Japanese fashion..lol.. I find them really cool and very fashion forward. Wow, you are travelling again..cool! Where are you going?
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
17 Oct 11
Personally this is something that I could not take advantage of even if I wanted too. It does sound like something that will be chaotic unless planned right because this could lead to many other issues. But since I do not have a passport and not sure I want to fly this far anyways this does not interest me. It will be interesting to see if they can even go thru with it, and what the requirements will be to get there.
@danitykane (3183)
• Philippines
17 Oct 11
Yup! Although the airfare is free (if the Government will approve it) they will earn income from hotels, restaurants, transit and other facilities that foreigners need once they set foot in the country. Thus, it will give them more income.
Although the airfare is free (if the Government will approve it) they will earn income from hotels, restaurants, transit and other facilities that foreigners need once they set foot in the country. Thus, it will give them more income.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
16 Oct 11
This is really a good way of promoting tourism.
But,i agree with other bloggers, to donate the money to those victims.
Thu, the main agenda for this promotion is let the world know that Japan is still the same and a good place to visit.
I also agree with you about the risk of radiation.
It might not be visible by this time...but we never knew the effect in the long run.
Thanks for this info, about me...I won't go.
I have another place to visit that I really wish to see.
Have a good day 
@danitykane (3183)
• Philippines
17 Oct 11
Hi phillyguy,
Yeah, it might be a good idea to think and it could really boost tourism on the said country but it'll be better to wait for another year or two. Maybe by that time Japan have already made some significant changes and development with their nuclear problem.
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
16 Oct 11
I have been to Japan a number of times, and have taken Japan Airlines and Nippon Airways. Of course, Tokyo and the cities in different parts of the country are really very beautiful and impressive. For this time, of course, I have to see how the health risks are, as a consequnce of the earthquake.
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
16 Oct 11
danitykane,
I believe this promotion is really necessary considering what had happened recently and Japan really need to bring back tourists by working on their confidence.
I am sure the hotels will be involved in this promotion too.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
17 Oct 11
For me really so take a good care in it so that make a life good is not easy and if you find good follow good if not don't follow that is bad.
@befrindwithme26 (5805)
• Philippines
16 Oct 11
This is good and free offers..great , i think they do this so people will also like japan although in the past ,they experience such great trials,and they just want to see their place again how change it.but great offer ...
