• Japan : ‘Go To Travel’ campaign to continue despite coronavirus resurgence

    Japan : ‘Go To Travel’ campaign to continue despite coronavirus resurgence

    Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Friday the government will continue its Go To Travel domestic tourism promotion campaign despite growing worries about a resurgence of the coronavirus in Japan.

    A day after the country logged a new record of 2,385 daily coronavirus infections, Suga said in parliament Japan should be on “maximum alert.”

    But he suggested he has no plans to scrap the Go To Travel program, saying, “We have been reviewing the program by listening to the opinions of experts and businesses involved. We will continue to operate it appropriately.”

    The daily nationwide tally rose as Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido and five other prefectures logged record-high figures. On Friday, the capital reported 522 new coronavirus cases, down from 534 cases the previous day but surpassing 500 for the second consecutive day , Kyodo reports.

    Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said at a regular news conference the government does not believe the current situation calls for a state of emergency, saying government panel members share that view.

    The Go To Travel subsidy program, which effectively covers half of a traveler’s expenses, was launched in late July to support the tourism industry after it was severely affected by the pandemic.

    So far, some 40 million trips have been covered by the scheme, with 176 users found to have been infected with the virus, according to the government.

    Toshio Nakagawa, head of the Japan Medical Association, has said while there was no concrete evidence to indicate the program was responsible for the recent spike in coronavirus cases in the country, “It is no mistake that the scheme acted as a catalyst.”

    Meanwhile in Tokyo, coupons under the government’s Go To Eat campaign, which promotes dining out and supports the restaurant industry, became available Friday. Most prefectures in the country have already launched such coupons.

    The number of new cases in Tokyo surpassed 500 on Thursday for the first time, and the metropolitan government raised its virus alert to the highest of four levels. The level four alert was last in place in the capital on Sept. 10.

    Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has urged people to avoid eating in large groups and to spend less time together. The central government has called for measures such as limiting groups to four or less. Source : Kyodo

    Nov. 20 , 2020

    Image : Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike at a news conference on the city’s response to the coronavirus on Nov . 19  Photo: Reuters/Issei Kato

    • Connecting you with the world of travel and tourism

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      Dubai – As tourism destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continue to grow, involving local communities in destination development has become increasingly vital for long-term success.

      Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims for 39.3 million visitors per year, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets 150 million domestic and international visits, emphasising how tourism is being established as a key element of economic diversification throughout the region.

      At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, industry leaders emphasised that sustainable revitalisation of destinations must align tourism investments with community partnerships, cultural authenticity, and immersive guest experiences to provide lasting value for both residents and visitors.

      During the session on “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on the ATM 2025 Global Stage, experts shared insights into building resilience, enhancing local prosperity, and ensuring tourism growth is both inclusive and enduring.

      Arabian Travel Market 2025, held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”,  featured more than 200 speakers across three content stages and welcomes over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

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      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
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