Global economy has been hit hard by the Covid-19 and there is not any exception for Japan. The Japanese government therefore launched an 1,679.4-billion-yen initiative called “Go To Campaign” (Go To キャンペーン) so as to stimulate and support local tourism, catering industry and entertainment industry, etc.
1. What is “Go To Campaign”?
“Go To Campaign” is divided into four categories:
- “Go To Travel Campaign” (Go Toトラベル キャンペーン)
- “Go To Eat Campaign” (Go To イート キャンペーン)
- “Go To Event Campaign” (Go To イベント キャンペーン)
- “Go To Shopping Street Campaign” (Go To 商店街 キャンペーン)
“Go To Travel Campaign” will be the launched on 22th July, 2020 ahead of the other campaigns. The detailed schedule of the remaining campaigns has not yet been released.
2. “Go To Travel Campaign”
In this campaign, you will be subsidized by the government if you make a reservation through the travel agencies or travel reservation sites. Subsidies are equivalent to half of the price of your reserved travel plan capped at 20,000 yen per night. For 1-day trip, the amount is capped at 10,000 yen. The sum of money comprises travel plan expenses (70%) and local shopping coupons (30%).
Here are some examples to help better understand the campaign.
Case 1: 20,000 yen/ night/ person (Stay overnight)
You will be subsidized 10,000 yen per night. The subsidy includes 7,000 yen for the travelling plan and 3,000 yen shopping coupons.
Case 2: 50,000 yen/ night/ person (Stay overnight)
You will be subsidized 20,000 yen per night (capped at 20,000 yen). The subsidy includes 14,000 yen for the travelling plan and 6,000 yen shopping coupons.
Case 3: 20,000 yen/ person (Day trip)
You will be subsidized 10,000 yen. The subsidy includes 7,000 yen for the travelling plan and 3,000 yen shopping coupons.
Case 4: 50,000 yen/ person (Day trip)
You will be subsidized 10,000 yen (capped at 10,000 yen). The subsidy includes 7,000 yen for the travelling plan and 3,000 yen shopping coupons.
You will be subsidized for an eligible reservation no matter how many times you have redeemed this offer. However, if you made all reservations directly on your own (not through an agency nor travelling website), only accommodation fees will be subsidized. Moreover, the shopping coupons are 1,000 yen each (no change) and only applicable to local business that have joined the campaign.
3. Latest updates and responses
With rocketing numbers of covid-19 cases in Tokyo and Osaka, the government announced to exclude travel to and from Tokyo in this “Go To Travel Campaign” on 16th July, 2020.
Japanese citizens are furious at the latest updates because tourists travelling across the 5 prefectures surrounding Tokyo are also at high risk of infection. It does not make sense to exclude Tokyo citizens and tourists who planned to travel to Tokyo.
GoToキャンペーン、東京だけ除外だと！東京は陸の孤島ではない。周辺を5県が取り囲んで行き来が密。しかも５県も感染者増大！東京だけを除外しても意味は全くない。専門家分科会も賛成と。バカじゃないか！専門家だって？笑わせる！あまりにも非常識で言葉を超える。小学生でもおかしいと言ってる。😡
— 澤田愛子 (@aiko33151709) July 16, 2020
Some just complained that this is a “Go To Hell” campaign instead.
GO TO HELL？#GoToキャンペーン #東京280人 pic.twitter.com/ns0WFXIkU1
— ふじのまさあき MASAAKI FUJINO (@masaaki_fujino) July 16, 2020
Despite the tempting amount of subsidies and the need of boosting local economy, there are more to be considered when travelling at high infection risk. Think wise, stay safe and fight against the pandemic together!
