Japan’s new tourism minister plans to bring back the government’s Go To Travel subsidised program for domestic tourism.
Tetsuo Saito floated the idea after Japan lifted the Covid-19 state of emergency last week.
"We will consider the situation regarding infections and consider when to resume the program. It is a program crucial for the recovery of tourist sites and local economies," Saito said.
"It is a program crucial for the recovery of tourist sites and local economies."
The Go To Travel scheme launched last year, and was initially successful but was postponed after fears it had fuelled the spread of the virus across the country.
"It is important to balance the prevention of contagion and the promotion of tourism," Saito said.
The Go To Travel scheme subsidises as much as.50% of travel expenses,up to ¥20,000 per person per night and ¥10,000 for a day trip.
Saito said the government is still targeting a pre-Covid goal of 60 million foreign visitors to Japan by the end of the decade.
