[JARTA General Incorporated Association] The approaching tourism crisis! Volunteers from all over the country working on sustainable tourism have gathered and declared the “Sustainable Tourism Tokyo Declaration 2030 Vision”! Image
URL: JARTA General Incorporated Association Press release: October 3, 2024 The approaching tourism crisis! Volunteers from all over the country working on sustainable tourism have gathered and declared the “Sustainable Tourism Tokyo Declaration 2030 Vision”! The second sustainable tourism movement begins in earnest on September 27th, World Tourism Day
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150550/2/150550-2-0e1f5bee87dc4849fc7e7a0617f145f8-3900×2144.jpg
sustainability and certification systems, explanations of the Green Claims Directive scheduled to come into effect in the EU in 2026, and various presentations and discussions from businesses active in various regions. Then, on September 27, 2024, World Tourism Day, we will embark on a new sustainability journey as the “Second
Sustainable Tourism Movement.” Post-coronavirus, the growing tourism industry, especially inbound business, will be extremely important to Japan’s economy. However, due to a short-term perspective and irresponsible management without a vision, tourist destinations are being exploited as objects of consumption, and it is no longer possible to grasp the whole picture using only the term “overtourism.” We cannot deny the possibility that operations without management will cause various social problems in the future. Recognizing this ongoing situation as a “tourism crisis,” we hereby declare the “Sustainable Tourism Tokyo Declaration 2030 Vision,” aiming for the ideal state of Japanese tourism in 2030. In order to achieve this goal, we will aim to achieve the 3.5% rule and will carry out dissemination and awareness activities to get Japan’s 4.2 million people to agree with this vision.
Sustainable Tourism Tokyo 2030 Vision
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150550/2/150550-2-6c35047f372b18b87239ff9476556c84-2194×2925.jpg Signatures of pioneers working to realize sustainable tourism nationwide
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150550/2/150550-2-121f28f161cf996da21c9f72f3eff8e9-3900×2925.jpg Forum status [Full text content] Now, along with the environmental crisis, a tourism crisis is looming. We must share this sense of crisis and take immediate action. We view the period from today’s World Tourism Day until 2030 as the second movement, and set out to further strengthen and promote the efforts we have made so far. These six years have been a year of competition. We all believe in the power of travel, make the most of it, bring happiness to travelers, the region, and the earth, and create a society where businesses involved in the tourism industry themselves are happy. Can it be achieved? Or will the tourism industry further lose public trust by pursuing its own profits with a short-term perspective, exploiting local resources through aimless management, and causing various negative impacts on society? Their awareness and responsibility are being questioned. Each of us, as a missionary of sustainability, envisions the future of Japan and vows to work towards it, and hereby declare it as the “Sustainable Tourism Tokyo Declaration 2030 Vision.” 1. We will work to create a sustainable management organization in order to leave a beautiful Japan for future generations. 2. Strive to expand the social and economic benefits of the local communities visited and contribute to minimizing negative impacts. 3. Convey the appeal of Japan’s cultural heritage and contribute to minimizing negative impacts. 4. Contribute to environmental conservation and minimize environmental impact. 5. Aim for management that leads to visitor satisfaction, and make efforts to expand the circle of the 2030 Vision to peers and stakeholders. 6. To realize this vision, we will disseminate and operate measures based on international standards and certification systems based on international standards as effective means. Details of the day’s program
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150550/2/150550-2-9d5408301fcf86dd3cac16785d7149e8-3900×2925.jpg Signing scene Representative Takayama
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150550/2/150550-2-a3da01584f4028d47f46c18f60d690da-3900×2925.jpg Signing (from left) Mr. Koichiro Suzuki, President and CEO of Hokkaido Takarajima Travel Agency, President and Representative Director of Anabuki Travel Co., Ltd., and Yuka Abe, Vice Representative Director of JARTA 1. Opening greetings: Yuka Abe, Vice Representative Director (President, Anabuki Travel Co., Ltd.) 2. Congratulatory messages from each JARTA director 3. Representative lecture: Representative Director Suguru Takayama “Light and Shadow of Tourism” (Latest international information, Green Claims Directive, deep reading of the definition of sustainable tourism, certification system, our mission, etc.) 4. Main discussion: Explanation of “2030 Vision” and “What the Japanese tourism industry should be like in 2030” 5. Buddy talk (discussing what Japan’s tourism industry should be in 2030 from different standpoints and through our own company’s activities) 6. “Sustainable Tourism Tokyo Declaration 2030 Vision” Signing Ceremony 7.
International Certification Department Report Meeting (Explanation of Green Claims Directive and approaches, video message from Green Key Danish headquarters, dissemination of Green Key in Japan, changes in awareness, introduction of good practices of participating facilities, etc.) [Part 1 Main Discussion Speakers] Hokkaido Takarajima Travel Agency Co., Ltd. President and Representative Director JARTA Director Koichiro Suzuki RIDAS Co., Ltd. Representative Director JARTA Vice Representative Director Hisashi Inoue Anabuki Travel Co., Ltd. Representative Director and President JARTA Vice Representative Director Yuka Abe JARTA Representative Director Suguru Takayama JARTA International Certification Department General Manager Takeaki Shibuya (Moderator) [Part 2 Buddy talk discussion speakers] Yamato Kokoro Yuka Horiuchi (presenter and moderator) General Incorporated Association JaSCA Representative Director Mr. Shino Aoki Rakuten Group, Inc. Rakuten Travel Sustainable Project Leader Mr. Funyo Oki Japan Blue Flag Association Representative Director Kiyohiro Katayama Tourist Ship General Incorporated Association Representative Director Chieko Tanaka [Congratulatory messages from JARTA directors] ■Director: Toshiko Tada Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau (2-283, Wakayama Prefecture) ■Director: Raisa Nishitani InOutbound Sendai Matsushima Co., Ltd. (2-390, Miyagi Prefecture) ■Director: Kazuhiro Arai Adventure Hokkaido LLC (Hokkaido 2-789) ■Auditor: Kei Tamura TABIKYO JAPAN Co., Ltd. (Kyoto Prefecture) ■Auditor: Ryuta Kubo Kamaishi DMC Co., Ltd. (2-236, Iwate Prefecture) [The contents of the main discussion in Part 1 are as follows] We present our efforts so far in a four-chapter story.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150550/2/150550-2-943b90e61851f61569386bfd1eb23a46-1315×746.png History of past activities [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] From the first sustainable tourism movement to the establishment of JARTA In 2014, the 1st Sustainable Tourism International Certification Seminar was held in Nara. In collaboration with the Japan Ecotourism Center, we started activities to spread awareness of GSTC international certification. Since then, we have held international sustainable tourism certification forums in various locations every year since 2015, and in 2018, the Sustainable Tourism Tokyo Declaration was adopted at the United Nations University. [Chapter 3] Tourism crisis The tourism industry can only be established if there is an
environmental, social, and economic foundation. Not only overtourism but also excessive development due to tourism leads to soaring land prices, fragmentation of local communities, gentrification, and various other negative impacts. Tourism has various negative effects on society. The tourism crisis is a man-made disaster, and a 180-degree change in the way it is managed can have a positive impact.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150550/2/150550-2-70ffe8f6b21fd3da2b762421eec45f99-1316×752.png If the foundations are lost due to an environmental crisis and an unmanaged tourism crisis, society, economy, and tourism will no longer be viable.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150550/2/150550-2-291a5941d4302e2662c16f8d2d58aa4b-1315×749.png Fulfilling each role and responsibility is essential to realizing sustainable tourism and society [Chapter 4] Second Sustainable Tourism Movement “2030 Vision Adopted” We must now take concrete actions from today until 2030 as part of the second sustainable tourism movement. This is no longer an issue that only highly conscious people are tackling, as was the case in the first movement, and the situation is now serious. Unless everyone acts responsibly, the survival of the tourism industry will be in jeopardy. 3.5% rule Gather 4.2 million supporters and realize sustainable tourism The goal is for the total number of supporters to reach 4.2 million by September 27, 2030. This is based on the 3.5% rule, and is based on the belief that if 4.2 million people, or 3.5% of Japan’s population of 120 million people, agree with it, it will be possible to change society’s mindset. If you are in agreement, we are accepting signatures at any time.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/150550/2/150550-2-0b6f1ec856ffcb9b5e7b69f9313a3522-1316×751.png People’s consciousness will transform society through the 3.5% rule Sustainable Tourism Tokyo Declaration 2030 Vision (English translation of the declaration) Now, along with the environmental crisis, the Tourism Crisis is looming. We must share this sense of urgency and take immediate action. Today on World Tourism Day, the second movement of our sustainability journey starts. We declare our commitment to realize a 2030 sustainable society. Over the next six years, we must work diligently to speed up and further strengthen our initiatives. Our future will depend on how responsibly we conduct our own business. We believe in the power of tourism and make the most of it to bring happiness to travelers, communities, the globe and as well as people engaged in the tourism industry. Our future will be bleak if we don’t take any responsibility for those four key groups. For example, having a short-term perspective, and pursuing our own interests and exploiting local resources through irresponsible management. As a result, it causes various negative impacts on society, and the tourism industry loses further social credibility. Our determination and responsibility are being questioned now. Each and every one of us pledges to work sustainably to envision what Japan should be in the future. It is hereby declared as the “Sustainable Tourism Tokyo Declaration 2030 Vision”. 1. Implement sustainable management in order to leave the beautiful land to future generations. 2. Strive to maximize the social and economic benefits of the local communities we visit and contribute to minimizing adverse effects. 3. Convey the charm of Japan’s cultural heritage and to minimize the negative influences on the society. 4. Contribute to environmental conservation and minimize negative impacts. 5. Aim for management that leads to the satisfaction of visitors and make efforts to expand the circle of the 2030 Vision to peers and stakeholders. 6. Spread this vision and take measures based on international standards and certification programs as effective means. September 27, 2024 JARTA forum on World Tourism Day Recruiting signatures from volunteers who agree with us, inquiries for materials The goal is for the total number of supporters to reach 4.2 million by September 27, 2030. This is based on the 3.5% rule, and is based on the belief that if 4.2 million people, or 3.5% of Japan’s population of 120 million people, agree with it, it will be possible to change society’s mindset. If you are in agreement, we are accepting signatures at any time. The following materials presented on the day will be partially edited for distribution. l “Sustainable Tourism Tokyo Declaration 2030 Vision” l Representative lecture: Suguru Takayama, Representative Director “Light and Shadow of Tourism” l Main discussion: Explanation of “2030 JARTA Vision” and “What the Japanese tourism industry should be like in 2030” l International certification department report meeting “About Green Claims Directive” l
International Certification Division “Green Key Overview, Latest Information Overseas and in Japan” If you are interested, please contact us using the form below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhNQ3TEsocpU36Gber97lksvG-0plIm-BYI1B3wBlkQoCuoA/viewform JARTA General Incorporated Association Secretariat ( Japan Alliance Of Responsible Travel Agencies ) [Address] 8-2 Mibu Kayo Gosho-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8811 [Telephone] 075-406-7700 [Email]
secretariat@jarta.org [W] https://www.jarta.org/ [Business hours] Monday to Friday 9:30 to 18:00 (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and New Year’s holidays) ■Secretariat composition Executive Director: Yukiko Inoue International Certification Department Head of Department: Takeaki Shibuya International Certification Department Blue Flag Person in charge: Ushio Tsukie General Affairs/Accounting Department: Yukiko Sunamoto