STAR ALLIANCE BOOSTS JAPAN DOMESTIC |
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| TOKYO, August 20, 2004 -- Star Alliance, the airline network for Earth™, today announced that sales of its Star Alliance Japan Air Pass, have boosted the overall number of visitors to Japan who take advantage of special domestic only air fares by typically 30%. Sales of the air pass began in January 2004 as part of the Star Alliance Visit Japan Campaign, and offer travellers an alternative to the Visit Japan Fare that has been in existence since 1998. The Star Alliance Japan Air Pass contains between two and five coupons for one-way travel anywhere within the Japanese archipelago, at a retail price of 11,000 yen per coupon, and can be purchased by visitors flying into Japan on Star Alliance airlines. Since its launch in January, the pass has enjoyed a positive response the world over, and sales had almost doubled by May this year. The Visit Japan Fare is also available in books of up to five coupons and retails for 12,000 yen per coupon. When sales of the Visit Japan Fare are combined with those of the Star Alliance Visit Japan Air Pass, the total number of visitors to Japan who bought special air passes for domestic travel rose a typical 30% year-on-year, and approximately 40% in the month of May. “The rise in the number of foreign visitors using air passes for domestic travel in Japan is testament to the success of the Star Alliance Visit Japan Campaign the marketing power of the grouping of 15 of the world’s premier airlines. Star Alliance members have been working hard in their markets to promote travel to, and within, Japan, and we are now seeing the results through strong growth in air pass sales for domestic travel,” said Mr Masao Nakano, Executive Vice President for Marketing and Sales at ANA, the Japanese Star Alliance member airline. The Star Alliance Visit Japan Campaign, announced in December 2003 and officially launched in April this year, centers on seven initiatives designed to increase the appeal of Japan as a tourist destination. As well as the air pass, the first initiative to be introduced, they also include: on board sweepstake competitions; a special fare promotion for international travel to Japan; development of special tours; a ‘Sales Blitz’; a frequent flyer promotion offer, and an essay competition for children. In addition, member airlines have also agreed to use in-flight video programming and in-flight magazines to promote the campaign. Star Alliance airlines as a body have undertaken to implement some or a number of the initiatives depending on applicability, for example, if Japan is on their route network or not. To date all members have carried adverts for Japan in their inflight magazines, and a video programme introducing Japan and the Star Alliance Visit Japan Campaign is being played on all 15 members airlines during the month of August. Next in line come inflight sweepstakes in autumn, with trips to Japan to be won, and the remaining five initiatives will be rolled out before the campaign ends in March next year. “The campaign to increase interest in Japan is gaining momentum with in-flight promotional materials now in place, and a number of exciting Japan-related competitions coming up,” said Mr Mark Schwab, Vice-President Pacific, at United Airlines. “These initiatives combined with the practical value of the Star Alliance Japan Air Pass, offers Star Alliance customers a greater incentive then ever to visit and travel within Japan.” Star Alliance Press Office |
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