Japan will start allowing 'test tourism' in the form of limited package tours. 

Japan will start allowing 'test tourism' in the form of limited package tours. 
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Japan to Test Tourism Post-Covid from May

Japan will start allowing 'test tourism' in the form of limited package tours from this month as a way of gathering information prior to a full re-opening of the country.

The Japan Tourism Agency has announced the country will trial small group tours for triple- vaccinated tourists from the United States, Australia, Thailand and Singapore. This would prepare Japan for a full-scale reopening to tourists in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic at an unspecified date.

During the 'test tourism' phase, Japanese officials say small groups of tourists be allowed go on fixed package tours, limited to areas where prefectural governments have agreed to welcome them. This will allow the government to monitor tourist movements and evaluate current Covid-19 safety measures. The tours will be strictly planned in conjunction with travel agencies and accompanied at all times by tour conductors.  

“This venture will allow us to verify compliance and emergency responses for infection prevention and formulate guidelines for travel agencies and accommodation operators to keep in mind,” the ministry in charge of tourism said in a statement.

Japan's border control measures remain the strictest among the Group of Seven (G7) countries, with only limited numbers of students and business travellers allowed entry. That's seen the number of foreign visitors plummet from nearly 32 million in 2019 to the lowest level just over 245,000 in 2021 – the lowest level since records began. 

Hanh Dinh
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