Council for Promoting Leisurely Vacation
The public has begun to seek out experiences that offer emotional satisfaction rather than material wealth. In response to such changes in public attitude, the government held the first meeting of the Council for Promoting Leisurely Vacation in April 1994, acknowledging the importance of an environment in which people can enjoy a variety of fulfilling leisure activities that suit their taste. The council consists of academics and members of private and governmental organizations. The council has met since 1994 to improve the environment for leisure activities, including a campaign to promote the idea of taking consecutive holidays.
Revision and implementation of the Travel Agency Law
Given improving incomes and increasing free time, the demands for tourism have expanded steadily in recent years, rapidly making overseas trips one of the more common leisure options. As tourism expanded and diversified, travel companies aggressively developed their services, but protection for consumers against, for example, travel company bankruptcies, became insufficient. To increase consumer protection, the Travel Agency Law was revised in 1995 and implemented in April 1996. The standard travel contract was revised at the same time. The Travel Agency Law revision included an overhaul of the travel company registration system, improving the operation bond system, redefining obligations of travel companies, and enhancing the protection of travelers through the activities of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA). The revision of the standard travel contract includes the establishment of a system for guaranteeing the content of package tours.
