Japan-based brand Hotel Tavinos has launched free local walking tours for its guests.
Owned by tourism industry corporation Fujita Kanko, the brand currently operates in three urban locations: Asakusa and Hamamatsucho in Tokyo, and Kyoto. It aims to attract millennial and active travellers.
Knowledgeable Japanese/English-speaking staff lead the 90-minute tour, currently offered every Sunday at Kyoto, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Asakusa, and on the second and fourth Sundays at Hamamatsucho.
Fujita Kanko’s president and CEO Yoshihiro Ise commented: "We see not only a new surge of visitors but also more diversified styles of visits. Tavinos showcases our creativity, and we try coming up with unique offerings."
Walking tours are part of the push for enhanced guest experiences, as hoteliers vie to gain travellers' loyalty through organising memorable activities.
Fujita Kanko was founded in 1955 and has 61 properties, including its flagship, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, and 35 mid-priced hotels within the Hotel Gracery, Washington Hotels and Hotel Tavinos groups.
GlobalData finds that in spite of inbound tourism to Japan plummeting due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in 2020 and 2021, the country remains optimistic in its goal to attract foreign visitors and aims to exceed pre-pandemic levels by 2030. This objective is supported by the Japan Tourism Agency and the Japan National Tourism Organisation, which direct investment in coordination with the government and execute marketing and promotional activities.
