October 11th, 2011
06:55 AM GMT
 If you’ve always dreamed of seeing Tokyo’s cherry blossoms or Kyoto’s famous temples, or even the Anime maid cafes of Akihabara, the Japanese government wants to help turn your hopes into reality. In order to boost visitor numbers in the wake of its recent disasters, Japan’s official tourism agency hopes to provide free flights for 10,000 foreigners to travel to the country. The Japan Tourism Agency says it will ask the lucky tourists to post about their experiences on social media. “The travelers will put stories and images of their fun trips to Japan while travelling on Facebook and their own blogs,” says the Agency’s Masatoshi Tsukasaki. “As such stories spread to their friends and followers, we hope a sense of insecurity and worries over Japan built up after the quake would be eliminated.” The agency has asked for $14 million dollars as part of next year’s budget to fund the program. Winners would be selected based on how interesting their travels plans are, with 10,000 receiving free round-trip plane tickets. The government hopes to lure both traditional tourists and young visitors interested in the country's street culture and nightlife. Tourists would be expected to pay for their own hotels and activities. Japan’s tourism industry has suffered in the aftermath of the tsunami, earthquake and nuclear disasters on March 11. In August, just 546,800 tourists visited Japan, nearly a third less than a year earlier. In the most impacted areas, visitors have fallen off by up to 90%. Tsukasaki says he expects it to take three-to-five years for the industry to fully recovery. He also believes the project is away of showing gratitude for all the support Japan has received from the international community. “The world helped Japan to come back on its feet,” he says. “We would like to show how much progress we have made since then." |
  About Business 360
CNN International's business anchors and correspondents get to grips with the issues affecting world business, and they want your questions and feedback. Future Cities gives us an inside look at how cities are adapting to tomorrow's urban challenges. The Boss is following three world-class business leaders, to get a unique insight into what it's like to run a company. Recent Posts
@cnni/business on Twitter Follow CNN for insight and analysis into
the world's business news.
Half of U.S cellphones are now smartphones ow.ly/2bsiHL
FBI opens investigation into JP Morgan ow.ly/2bsiHJ
SO proud of my brother! Graduating from Columbia today! http://t.co/PxFXutp2
BREAKING: FBI director confirms bureau has opened preliminary investigation into JPMorgan Chase's massive trading loss.
updated 1924 GMT, May 16
  |
 |
|
© 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
how can we be included in those 10,000?
How can one be included
been to hokkaido 3 times !
summer,winter and spring
one of the most beautiful places on earth !
try the "YUUAISO" restaurant near abashiri station.
so, how exactly will this work?
how can I take participate?
I would love to take part in this! What do I need to do to be one of the 10,000 chosen?
Superb initiative ! I want to join :))
Hi there.,
Could you please give me the information :)
how can i sign up?
My new grand baby is there! I want to come!
What are the procedures for this program.
this is a fake for sure!
Yeah, details please!!!
I'm in.
Sweet! I want in on this action!!! Would love to visit Kyoto!
to the people asking questions, READ the article again, you'll see that the answers are just there. the program is actually still a plan so no details yet as you can see in this sentence: "The agency has asked for $14 million dollars as part of next year’s budget to fund the program". And how people can join? Read this - " Winners would be selected based on how interesting their travels plans are, with 10,000 receiving free round-trip plane tickets". But no specifics yet because it is still a plan after all.
REALITY OR NO???
Where do I sign up??!!! haha.
Hey!!!
DId you check out STEVE JOBS QUOTES AND TRIVIA APP on the Apple Store???
A nice way of remembering this GREAT MAN on your iOS device!!!
Check the reviews for the opinions of other people ;)
If you like it, please share it!!! :)
How could I find out more about this adventure...my bags are packed
Hi Friends,
Now it’s very easy to get the travel agencies information just visit:http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Travel/travel-agencies.html,and get the best travel agencies information through out the country and enjoy your trip.
Thank you.
How it works!!!? I really want to be there!!
Please let me know when there's more info on this plan. If it actually comes into reality I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO GO! So please keep me updated. THANK YOU!
Like everyone else posting comments here, I would also love to get in on this offer. But a word of caution to those truly interested.... do you homework first! Similar offers in the past, with other airlines, have had "hidden" fees associated with them. You may wind up having to pay the taxes and even a "fuel surcharge", which could amount to over $500 one way!! So before signing up, be sure you know up front what you will have to pay in order to get this "Free" offer.
hi i would really like to get more information on this and i promise it will be worth your time to send it to me
Please send me more information.
The land of the rising sun shows resiliency beyond all adversity...
Would love the chance to play a koto in Kyoto 8)
To visit would be a delight and an opportunity of a lifetime!
New cervice Free Facebook fans Likes http://plusix.net
How can I take participate? What do I need to do to be one of the 10,000 chosen? Could you please give me the information?
Wow that goes to show how important Facebook friends are. I Get Facebook Friends everyday and they help with anything, advice, blogging anything you can think of. Great post!
i'm so in for this !
That's amazing! guess who has a new fan :)
check out yourfbooklikes.com for free fans to your pages!