With an eye on strengthening its position in the market, Airbnb Japan has launched a campaign that illustrates its shift in strategy — building links with communities outside of the well-beaten tourist pathways and enticing travelers to rural areas seeking an economic boost.

The scene at the World Heritage-listed village of Suganuma in Toyama Prefecture’s Gokayama region is pristine and perfectly preserved.

AirBnb’s  “Only on Airbnb” campaign launches with offering two guests a two-night stay in one of the historic, thatched wooden houses in the World Heritage-listed village of Suganuma, a perfectly-preserved example of traditional rural Japanese life.

In Japan, this is part of Airbnb Japan’s post-pandemic charm offensive as minpaku — a type of private lodging service — see a spike in demand as tourists flock back to Japan.

In May, 1.9 million visitors arrived in Japan according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. And while the number still has some way to go before reaching pre-pandemic levels — the number of foreign visitors was 2.77 million in May 2019 — businesses are nonetheless reveling in the financial boost from the travelers after COVID-19 all but stopped inbound tourism.

Airbnb is eager to promote itself in this new era by developing relationships with local government groups and communities, enticing them with the economic benefits that tourism can bring to their regions.

‍

Source : https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/06/27/business/corporate-business/airbnb-japan-strategy-growth/

‍