Japanese Tourism Minister Kazuyoshi Akaba said on September 8 that the “Go to travel” domestic tourism subsidy program was launched by the Japanese Government on July 22, under which each tourist will receive 35% of the cost, mainly for accommodation.
From October 1, travelers will receive a coupon that adds 15% to their total spending. The coupon can be used for dining, shopping and other activities offered at the destination. The discount coupon is expected to help “restore travel demand and promote widespread consumption at local destinations,” Mr. Akaba emphasized.
Discount coupons are distributed by hotels and travel agencies to their customers, or are provided via smartphones in units of 1,000 Yen with the following rates: Each tourist is subsidized 20,000 Yen for each overnight stay; 10,000 Yen for day trips, including transportation costs. Tourists can use these coupons at tourist attractions, restaurants, souvenir shops, on the transportation system at tourist attractions and surrounding areas.
However, up to now, this subsidy program worth a total of 1.35 trillion Yen (12.7 billion USD) still does not include trips to and from Tokyo in general and for residents of the capital in particular, because Tokyo is still the place with the highest Covid-19 infection rate among Japan's 47 prefectures.
