15 TOURISM
Welcome Plan 21: The program to double the number of foreign visitors for international exchange in tourism
The concept proposed in April 1996 by the study group on internationalizing local communities in Japan through tourism, comprising academics and experts. The objectives are to (1) double the number of overseas tourists visiting Japan (to 7 million) by around 2005, and (2) promote measures to attract overseas visitors to local sightseeing spots. To put the concept into practice, new legislation, the Law to Promote Inbound Tourism by Diversifying Destinations in Japan, was introduced in June 1997 that will develop international tourism by diversifying sites expected to attract overseas visitors. Based on this legislation, International Sightseeing Theme Zones will be established where tourists can make a round of sightseeing attractions and accommodations in a short period of time. The government has also set up a system for registering foreign-language guides for specific areas. In addition, Welcome Card discount measures have been promoted to lower travel costs for overseas visitors.
Cities for international conventions and tourism
These are cities designated under the Convention Law, of which an official name is the International Convention Promotion Law. The purpose of the law is to develop international tourism by attracting international conventions and ensuring smooth operation. Forty five cities have been designated, including Yamagata, Narita, Gifu, Tokushima and Nagasaki. The Japan National Tourist Organization provides information on attracting international conferences and extends support to the efforts by designated cities to stage advertisement campaigns overseas to attract such events. The Organization also provides assistance to organizers of international conferences that meet certain requirements. The assistance includes collecting donations and providing grants-in-aid.
