Post by High Priestess on Nov 14, 2015 16:08:52 GMT
There is a shortage of housing for tourists in Japan, particularly in more rural areas, and Airbnb rentals help provide this needed supply:
asia.nikkei.com/Business/Trends/Japan-s-countryside-may-have-its-savior?page=1
Another reason the prime minister might be smitten with the sharing economy could be that it has the potential to reinvigorate rural areas. Uber could provide rides to the elderly, many of whom still live in the towns their children long abandoned for the bright lights of the metropolis. And Airbnb could help lure foreign tourists to places they otherwise might not consider visiting.
Home-sharing is also popular in many parts of Okinawa Prefecture, a small chain of islands in the East China Sea.
While home-sharing in Asuka is, in principle, for educational purposes, Airbnb could serve a similar function -- to attract foreign tourists who just want to take a sneak peek at an area's heritage.
Yuka, an Airbnb host, started accepting tourists to an unused house in Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, two and a half years ago. A total of 45 groups from Europe and Australia have stayed at the house, heated by a wood-burning stove. Tsuyama is not a particularly popular tourist destination, but Yuka's neighbors have welcomed her efforts. Some of them have even set up a special omotenashi, or hospitality, team that offers cultural experiences such as fitting into a kimono and planting rice. The whole community is enjoying the cultural exchanges, Yuka said.
"We've been contacted by local governments that are trying to attract more foreign tourists to their regions," said Yasuyuki Tanabe, head of Airbnb's Japan office.
Not only could home-sharing pull in foreigners, it could also help to make Japanese tourists more familiar with other parts of their country.
If municipal officials take the lead and register a variety of homes in their communities on Airbnb, the listings could be an effective advertising tool. "Although I can't tell you specific names yet," Tanabe said, "we are hoping to team up with some local governments and to contribute to the revitalization of Japan's rural communities."
There is a heated debate on whether Japan's hotel-management laws even allow grass-roots accommodation. Ota, one of Tokyo's 23 wards, is to adopt an ordinance in December allowing such services. But short-term stays of less than seven days will still be prohibited.
Some fear that deregulation could result in a dog-eat-dog world in which all those instant capitalists don't really earn much more than pocket change. But relaxing laws to foster the sharing economy could be a way to resuscitate Japan's aging and withering countryside. According to Airbnb, some people become hosts after retiring from the oldfangled jobs economy and find it rewarding to serve guests. Others rely on the income they earn through Airbnb.
If the government were to clear up the debate and pass laws allowing for more home-sharing, the move could go a long way to ease a sudden problem in Japan: Now that the country is solidly on the global tourist map, it is experiencing a shortage of affordable accommodations.
asia.nikkei.com/Business/Trends/Japan-s-countryside-may-have-its-savior?page=1
Another reason the prime minister might be smitten with the sharing economy could be that it has the potential to reinvigorate rural areas. Uber could provide rides to the elderly, many of whom still live in the towns their children long abandoned for the bright lights of the metropolis. And Airbnb could help lure foreign tourists to places they otherwise might not consider visiting.
Home-sharing is also popular in many parts of Okinawa Prefecture, a small chain of islands in the East China Sea.
While home-sharing in Asuka is, in principle, for educational purposes, Airbnb could serve a similar function -- to attract foreign tourists who just want to take a sneak peek at an area's heritage.
Yuka, an Airbnb host, started accepting tourists to an unused house in Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, two and a half years ago. A total of 45 groups from Europe and Australia have stayed at the house, heated by a wood-burning stove. Tsuyama is not a particularly popular tourist destination, but Yuka's neighbors have welcomed her efforts. Some of them have even set up a special omotenashi, or hospitality, team that offers cultural experiences such as fitting into a kimono and planting rice. The whole community is enjoying the cultural exchanges, Yuka said.
"We've been contacted by local governments that are trying to attract more foreign tourists to their regions," said Yasuyuki Tanabe, head of Airbnb's Japan office.
Not only could home-sharing pull in foreigners, it could also help to make Japanese tourists more familiar with other parts of their country.
If municipal officials take the lead and register a variety of homes in their communities on Airbnb, the listings could be an effective advertising tool. "Although I can't tell you specific names yet," Tanabe said, "we are hoping to team up with some local governments and to contribute to the revitalization of Japan's rural communities."
There is a heated debate on whether Japan's hotel-management laws even allow grass-roots accommodation. Ota, one of Tokyo's 23 wards, is to adopt an ordinance in December allowing such services. But short-term stays of less than seven days will still be prohibited.
Some fear that deregulation could result in a dog-eat-dog world in which all those instant capitalists don't really earn much more than pocket change. But relaxing laws to foster the sharing economy could be a way to resuscitate Japan's aging and withering countryside. According to Airbnb, some people become hosts after retiring from the oldfangled jobs economy and find it rewarding to serve guests. Others rely on the income they earn through Airbnb.
If the government were to clear up the debate and pass laws allowing for more home-sharing, the move could go a long way to ease a sudden problem in Japan: Now that the country is solidly on the global tourist map, it is experiencing a shortage of affordable accommodations.