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STAR ALLIANCE BOOSTS JAPAN DOMESTIC TRAVEL PASS SALES
BY 30%
Roll out of initiatives to attract visitors to Japan continues across 15 members |
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| TOKYO, August 20, 2004 - Star Alliance, the airline network
for Earth™, today announced that sales of its Star Alliance Japan Air Pass,
have boosted the overall number of visitors to Japan who take advantage of special
domestic only air fares by typically 30%. Sales of the air pass began in January
2004 as part of the Star Alliance Visit Japan Campaign, and offer travellers an
alternative to the Visit Japan Fare that has been in existence since 1998. |
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| The Star Alliance Japan Air Pass contains between two and five coupons for
one-way travel anywhere within the Japanese archipelago, at a retail price of
11,000 yen per coupon, and can be purchased by visitors flying into Japan on Star
Alliance airlines. Since its launch in January, the pass has enjoyed a positive
response the world over, and sales had almost doubled by May this year. |
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| The Visit Japan Fare is also available in books of up to five coupons and
retails for 12,000 yen per coupon. When sales of the Visit Japan Fare are combined
with those of the Star Alliance Visit Japan Air Pass, the total number of visitors
to Japan who bought special air passes for domestic travel rose a typical 30%
year-on-year, and approximately 40% in the month of May. |
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| “The rise in the number of foreign visitors using air passes for domestic
travel in Japan is testament to the success of the Star Alliance Visit Japan Campaign
the marketing power of the grouping of 15 of the world’s premier airlines.
Star Alliance members have been working hard in their markets to promote travel
to, and within, Japan, and we are now seeing the results through strong growth
in air pass sales for domestic travel,” said Mr Masao Nakano, Executive
Vice President for Marketing and Sales at ANA, the Japanese Star Alliance member
airline. |
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| The Star Alliance Visit Japan Campaign, announced in December 2003 and officially
launched in April this year, centers on seven initiatives designed to increase
the appeal of Japan as a tourist destination. As well as the air pass, the first
initiative to be introduced, they also include: on board sweepstake competitions;
a special fare promotion for international travel to Japan; development of special
tours; a ‘Sales Blitz’; a frequent flyer promotion offer, and an essay
competition for children. In addition, member airlines have also agreed to use
in-flight video programming and in-flight magazines to promote the campaign. |
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| Star Alliance airlines as a body have undertaken to implement some or a number
of the initiatives depending on applicability, for example, if Japan is on their
route network or not. To date all members have carried adverts for Japan in their
inflight magazines, and a video programme introducing Japan and the Star Alliance
Visit Japan Campaign is being played on all 15 members airlines during the month
of August. Next in line come inflight sweepstakes in autumn, with trips to Japan
to be won, and the remaining five initiatives will be rolled out before the campaign
ends in March next year. |
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| “The campaign to increase interest in Japan is gaining momentum with
in-flight promotional materials now in place, and a number of exciting Japan-related
competitions coming up,” said Mr Mark Schwab, Vice-President Pacific, at
United Airlines. “These initiatives combined with the practical value of
the Star Alliance Japan Air Pass, offers Star Alliance customers a greater incentive
then ever to visit and travel within Japan.” |
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| For further information contact: |
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Star Alliance Press Office
Tel : +49-69-96375183
Email : mediarelations@staralliance.com
www.staralliance.com |
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In Japan
ANA Public Relations:
Tel : 03-6735-1116
Email : r.henderson@ana.co.jp |
