Good news is coming!
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced today (31st) that he will relax the daily limit of 50,000 people entering the country on September 7, and allow tourists from all countries to enter the country without guides.
Xuan Guoquan, executive director of Eastern Travel, said that the new entry measures are described as "semi-independent tour groups". Hong Kong people may be infected and need help after arriving. Therefore, follow-up services will be provided for tourists. Fees apply.
Yuan Zhenning, the executive director of Zonghengyou, said that a "semi-free tour" for 6 days and 5 nights in Tokyo has been launched, of which 3 days are free activities.
He pointed out that although the cost of not needing a tour guide can be reduced, the risk must be borne by oneself.
"If you go to the hospital if you are in a severe condition with a positive test result? I can't help you. It's very difficult for you to call 119 in Japan. It's a big deal."
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced at a press conference today that the number of foreign tourists will be relaxed from September 7, from the current 20,000 a day to 50,000.
He also announced that the epidemic prevention restrictions will be eased again, including allowing tourists from all countries to enter the country in a way that exempts tour guides.
However, the Japanese authorities have not yet released detailed guidelines.
Dongying Travel estimates that tourists still need to apply for visas through travel agencies
Huan Guoquan, executive director of Eastern Travel, said that at present, the number of daily visitors to Japan in the world is still less than 10,000. He believes that the relaxation to 50,000 is just a "numbers game" and has no impact on Hong Kong people's travel to Japan.
He also described the new entry measures as "semi-independent tour groups". It is estimated that tourists still need to apply for visas through travel agencies, which will arrange hotel and air tickets, and submit the schedule to the Japanese authorities.
However, Xuan also emphasized that, based on the experience of Japan's opening and closing for more than two months, although passengers must declare their daily itinerary before departure, the journey is not limited as imagined.
He explained that as long as the passengers do not leave the declared prefecture and city, there is no major problem. "Today I will go to Shinsaibashi, but I want to bury Nihonbashi again. Can I get it?
▼On June 22, the first group of Dongying tour in Japan▼
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Dongying Tour: Provide follow-up services for passengers
However, as life is not familiar, Hong Kong people may be infected after arriving in Hong Kong. If they feel unwell, they may need to call the local hotline for assistance, and may even be involved in flight tickets and quarantine hotel changes. Therefore, support may still be needed.
Xuan said that Dongying Travel will provide follow-up services for passengers, and the price charged will depend on the expenses incurred at that time.
"If you are infected with the virus and can't come back, at least you have a counterpart first."
Xuan also revealed that business in June and July was average, with only two and four groups leaving respectively. However, since the government relaxed the quarantine measures to "3+4", the number of registered groups has increased significantly, and it has been more than 100 in September. 20 groups are ready to set off, an increase of several times, and the tour group with the largest number of registered groups even exceeds 30 people.
▼On June 24, the first group to travel across Japan▼
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Travelling recommends a "semi-free tour group" with a guide: Hong Kong is so hard to help you call 119 to Japan
Yuan Zhenning, the executive director of Zonghengyou, revealed that a "semi-free tour" has been launched, which is a Tokyo tour group for 6 days and 5 nights. In addition to the most beautiful Starbucks in Tokyo, Tokyo Snoopy Museum and Tokyo Dome City, the other 3 Days are free activities, and group members can enjoy shopping.
The group sold 7,999 yuan, including nucleic acid testing within 48 hours of the return trip, and said it was cheaper than before the outbreak.
If you book a quarantine hotel for 3 days after arrival, you will need to pay an additional 2,000 yuan.
Yuan pointed out that the advantage of the "semi-free tour group" is that in addition to providing a certain degree of freedom for tourists, the tour guide accompanying the group will assist the clinic to prepare for nucleic acid testing before returning to Hong Kong, or to deal with emergencies, such as arranging check-in after local diagnosis. Hospital.
He also emphasized that although the cost of a tour group without a guide can be reduced, the risk must be borne by oneself.
"If you go to the hospital if you are in a severe condition with a positive test result? I can't help you. It's very difficult for you to call 119 in Japan. It's a big deal."
It is expected that the "full free tour group" will be leveled by several hundred yuan
However, Yuan also pointed out that if there is demand in the market, he will also consider a "full free tour group".
As for the itinerary that includes air tickets, hotels, and nucleic acid testing before returning to Hong Kong, but there is no tour guide, how much cheaper can the fee be?
He estimated it at several hundred dollars.
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Xiang Mingsheng: Consider launching the Japanese Maple Leaf Tour from October to November
"Tourist Master" Xiang Mingsheng has organized a 45-day Japan tour group after announcing the opening in Japan in June, and has recently completed the itinerary and is ready to return to Hong Kong.
He believes that Japan's new entry measures still require visas, and it is not possible to buy air tickets at any time to set off, and it still fails to attract self-driving or independent travelers.
However, he pointed out that since the launch of "3+4", the cost of travel has been further reduced, and many group members have asked for another tour. Therefore, he is considering launching a Japanese maple leaf tour from October to November.
Japan Tourism Board: Not a 'full switch' or a 'reopen'
The Hong Kong Office of the Japan National Tourism Administration told "Hong Kong 01" today that the relaxation of travel restrictions does not mean "independent travel" is allowed, emphasizing that it is not a "complete switch" or "reopening of independent travel", reiterating that tour groups will be relaxed on September 7, Similar to the current regulations on group travel, passengers still need to sign up for a group tour.
The authorities also pointed out that there is a high chance that tourists still have to travel according to the itinerary of the tour group, and cannot leave the group without authorization or plan their own itinerary. The Japan Tourism Agency will issue new guidelines within days to explain the new arrangements.
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