Japan’s genius plan to offer free domestic flights to foreign tourists could end up backfiring in a big way. What’s the deal? Let’s break down the potential downsides.
But, of course, there’s a catch: you’ve got to book both your international and domestic flights in one single reservation. Book separately? Sorry, you’re out of luck. But hey, if you qualify, you get to enjoy two bags with a generous 23 kg luggage allowance each.
JAL rolled out this promo gradually, starting with tourists from the US, Canada, and Mexico, followed by Thailand and Singapore, then Australia and New Zealand. Indonesia came into the fold on September 27, 2024.
Overtourism Alert: The Potential Backfire
Some folks are saying this free-flight frenzy could actually make Japan’s tourism problem worse. The concern? Instead of spreading out, tourists might just keep flocking to the same ol’ hotspots.
“People will keep flooding to popular destinations like Tokyo because those are the must-see spots,” says Sara Aiko, founder of travel agency Curated Kyoto, quoted in the New York Post on October 14, 2024.
Another issue? Locals might get the short end of the stick. With tourists flooding in and hotel prices skyrocketing, it could become a real pain for local residents to afford a staycation in their own backyard.
“Hotel prices are going through the roof because of tourism, and locals are finding it harder to stay at places they used to love,” Aiko added.
Ben Julius, founder of Tourist Japan, is on the same page. He says that so far, all his clients want to see the big-name spots like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Mount Fuji—places already on every tourist’s bucket list.
Could This Be a Headache for Tourists Too?
It’s not just the locals who might feel the squeeze. According to Amy Thomasson, a Japan travel advisor, this free-flight offer could actually end up being more hassle than it’s worth for some tourists.
She points out that it “doesn’t make sense for a lot of travelers” because adding another destination to their already jam-packed trip means shelling out more cash for hotels and transportation. And don’t even get started on the stress of making tight flight connections if you decide not to take the freebie flight to a random city.