Japan Airlines Leverages Anime to Boost Regional Tourism Efforts
Japan Airlines (JAL) is turning to anime as a creative way to encourage regional travel, riding the wave of a significant uptick in inbound tourism to the country.
The airline has teamed up with Bandai Namco Entertainment, the powerhouse behind several lucrative gaming franchises like Pac-Man and Tekken. This collaboration aims to utilize digital technology to inspire travelers to discover various regional spots throughout Japan.
The initiative aligns with the “Cool Japan Strategy,” a governmental effort to boost the nation’s brand globally by promoting Japanese culture, technology, and products. This program seeks to fuel economic growth while enhancing cultural diplomacy.
Through its established connections with local communities, JAL is crafting engaging experiences for anime enthusiasts at multiple stages of their travel journey.
JAL noted, “It brings fans closer to favorite characters, supports regional revitalization, and encourages more visitors to explore local areas.”
One of the exciting promotional features is a smartphone app where characters from the anime “Nijigasaki High School Idol Club” will appear in photos taken by travelers at iconic tourist attractions. Additionally, there’s a tour app that enables users to explore cities like Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe alongside these beloved characters.
Travelers can also look forward to exclusive and limited-edition merchandise available for purchase on specific flights operated by J-Air, a fully-owned regional subsidiary of Japan Airlines.
In 2024, Japan welcomed an impressive 36.9 million international visitors, marking a 47% increase from 2023, and a 16% rise compared to the pre-pandemic peak in 2019. Factors such as the nation’s distinctive culture, beautiful landscapes, favorable currency exchange rates, and high safety standards continue to attract tourists from all over the globe.
At the same time, the global community of anime fans is rapidly growing, fueled by streaming platforms that have made content more accessible and vibrant social media communities. Netflix reports that its anime viewership has tripled since 2019, with half of its global audience diving into this captivating genre, which is now recognized as mainstream.
What do you think about using anime to promote travel?
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