The Japanese government plans to launch a nationwide travel discount program in October to support the hotel, restaurant and transportation industries hard hit by the pandemic. Do you think this is a good idea?

people who want to travel, will travel - incentives or discounts are not needed.

And the only people who get to benefit from these travel discounts are retirees. The majority of us are too busy working to have days off, & we’re the ones paying for it.

Japan should also introduce monthly long weekends during months where there are not holidays to encourage the people to spend and go out more.

The Pandemic is still going strong, encouraging people to travel and spread the sickness more among groups is a big hazard as has been shown when it was promoted earlier this year. It would be better to have subsidies paid to the different businesses to help them tide over and to reduce staff than to have this go forward only to have to shy away when numbers balloon again.

Let. Independent foreign tourists back in.

Allow workers to take their holidays when they like, it’s ridiculous everyone takes them at the same time. Some people would prefer just before or after Golden Week for their time off.

I used "go to Travel" quite a few times when it was first introduced. So looking forward to this time too. I didn't catch or spread any covid or other sickness. It was nice to actually get something back for the tax I pay.

Do you think this is a good idea?

idk.

are they also going to raise minimum wage to a livable amount?

are they going to make companies give more mandatory time off from work?

no?

then what difference does it make?

It's a really good idea but I'm sure they'll find a way to totally screw it up.

Absolutely a horrible idea and a further waste of taxpayers money…. These industries have been receiving monthly welfare payments far too long! And the last thing the jgov should be doing is funding super spreader events / travel !

More money for those who don’t need it.

I wonder, did this "Go To Garbage" work the first seven times or however many times it was?

I legitimately don't know if they did or not.

Whether it did or it didn't, it doesn't matter.

How about, instead of giving endless money to travel, restaurants and bars, how about helping out other industries.

For example day care and educational facilities?

How about funding for parks and open air recreation?

Maybe help support smaller businesses, in addition to the travel and hospitality industry?

A conditional "yes". I don't like many exceptions and disclaimers attached to this type of state-funded programs. Many rules or limits make logistics complicated and costly. The simpler it's arranged, the better and less deceitful.

100% yes - although in all fairness, and yes I know Tokyo isn't Japan as a whole but every half decent bar and restaurant in Tokyo is pretty banged out right now. @Steven, I used to somewhat sympathise with you, but as far as I'm concerned if you're healthy and vaccinated its game on now. Mask on the train/shops that require, but bar that - enough.

I don't know about now, but wasn't the plan before to do a GoTo Travel first and then open the border to international tourists after? I'm pretty sure that is what was said earlier in the year. I suppose part of the idea will be to get Japanese outsiders going to places first, before gaijin outsiders start going there.

If having GoTo delays the opening of the border, I'm not in favour of it. Note that all they've actually announced is that the border will be opening. No date has been given. "possibly as early as" and expressions like that.

If they do have a GoTo, I'll take my family to Disneyland and get that out of the way as cheaply as possible. My principles do not extend to missing out on things I do not agree with but am paying for through taxation.

While it seems to look good, based on the past incentives it seems to benefit the higher tier restaurants and hotels more due to how it was designed.

People in general will less likely choose the lower tier businesses cause saving smaller amounts makes less sense in travel trips since you don't do it often.

Unless the discounts are a flat amount otherwise it is unfair to small businesses.

Japan’s government is throwing crumbs to the masses….again!

loud no.

@Eastman - You'll just disagree with anything. I think we've established that.

Japan’ government, similar to the United States of America’s government, is technically insolvent.

More wasteful spending is not, and has never been, to this or any problem.

Instead of that, why don't they just do away with the stupid Highway tax which is Highway robbery at its core

are they also going to raise minimum wage to a livable amount?

are they going to make companies give more mandatory time off from work?

no?

then what difference does it make?

excellent point

Make 'GoTo Trouble' completely open, not just to selected large organisations and companies, and simplify the paperwork and processing. It's the small places that need help that don't benefit from these programmes.

I don't see the need for it. People will travel when they can, government incentives are unlikely to sway that decision either way.

Plus for most of these places what they really need is the borders to re-open to foreign tourists, who with the low Yen are likely to spend a lot if they can actually come here.

And the only people who get to benefit from these travel discounts are retirees. The majority of us are too busy working to have days off, & we’re the ones paying for it.

and who do you think were paying taxes building the economy supporting the current working generation while they were kids growing up, yep todays retirees, exactly the same when the current working generation retires and their kids will be supporting them with their taxes.

people cant work forever,

no its not retirees fault if the government over spends or waste money on wasteful policies when it should be used to strengthen healthcare pensions etc.

it becomes far more clear to the younger generation as they approach retirement.

The last time they tried this GoToInfect plan, it seems the only people to benefit were the lager, higher-end hotels and resorts, while the smaller, cheaper family-run places were left out.

I suppose it's one way of getting money into the economy, but I'm not sure it's the best way, or even a reasonably good way.

You know what would help minimize the spread of viruses? If the government didn't make an entire population travel at the same time.

Now is not the time to discount but to rake in the rewards of an open Japan. You want this to be sustainable not based on constant subsidies

Stop squandering my tax money on handouts to those who don't need them. People who want to travel can already afford it.

Did anyone else notice as soon as the October 11th date was mentioned, all R/T air tickets from North American jumped $500?