Airlines, railways launch Tokyo tourism campaign

Jiji Press

11:30 JST, June 15, 2022

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — A total of five airlines and railway companies said Monday that they have launched a joint Tokyo tourism campaign as the Japanese capital’s tourism industry is seeing only a slow recovery amid the prolonged coronavirus pandemic.

The five are All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, East Japan Railway Co. (JR East), Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) and Tokyo Metro Co.

The joint campaign comes as people appear still hesitant to visit Tokyo, where the number of new COVID-19 infections is higher than in other parts of the country.

For tours to the Tokyo metropolitan area in June handled by JR Tokai Tours Inc., the reservation rate stands at 46%, compared with some 60% for those from the area.

In the tourism campaign, the five companies have set up a special website and official social media accounts, inviting tourists to share photos taken at Tokyo’s sightseeing spots while offering such benefits as airline tickets and travel coupons.

“Working together, the five rival companies hope to facilitate people’s willingness to visit Tokyo,” Masaya Sugiura, a senior JR Tokai official, said at a press conference.