Japan National Tourism Organization

The Japan National Tourism Organization (国際観光振興機構, Kokusai Kankō Shinkō Kikō), JNTO, provides information about Japan to promote travel to and in the country. It was established in 1964 and its headquarters are in Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.[1] The JNTO operates Tourist Information Centers (TICs) as well as a website. It disseminates information about transportation, lodging, food and beverage, and sight-seeing as well as published tourism statistics and market reports. It also provides support for international conventions and incentive events[2].

JNTO is an Independent Administrative Institution of the government of Japan. Its publications and website assist in preparing travel itineraries within Japan, providing a wide range of travel information in English and other languages on transportation, accommodations, shopping and events. The materials are updated frequently.

While traveling in Japan, visitors may take advantage of the nationwide "i" Information System, which numbered 113 outlets in 2004. Each "i" center is an information source for the area it represents. The "i" centers are ordinarily located at railway stations or in city centers, and are easily recognized by their logo, a red question mark with the word "information" printed underneath.

JNTO sponsors a Goodwill Guide Program, through which some 47,000 bilingual volunteers assist visitors from abroad. They earn the right to wear the program's identifying badge, a white pigeon superimposed upon a globe. Throughout Japan, there are 77 Systematized Goodwill Guide groups (SGG) consisting mostly of students, housewives and retirees who engage in a variety of activities using their foreign language skills. Some groups offer a free preset walking tour, for which the visitor only needs to go to a pre-established place at a certain date and time, while others are available to meet tourists on request. There is no charge for the service of the Goodwill Guides, as they are volunteers, only their travel expenses and their admissions to tourist facilities, and for shared meals.

Services of professional guides and interpreters may be retained through the Japan Guide Association or the Japan Federation of Licensed Guides. JNTO administers Licensed Guide Interpreter Examination. A total of some 1,550 licensed guide-interpreters are registered with these organizations, each carrying a registration card issued by the governor of the relevant prefecture.[3]

Branches

JNTO maintains 20 offices around the world. Overseas offices provide up-to-date information on travel to and within Japan, place publicity in the media and cooperate with journalists, participate in travel fairs and exhibitions, assist the local travel industry in developing tours, and conduct tourism-related research.[4]

Overseas Office[5] Territories in Charge
North and South America
New York Eastern USA, Caribbean, South America
Los Angeles Western USA, Mexico, Central America
Toronto Canada
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Paris Andorra, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Monaco, French-spoken areas of Switzerland and French-spoken areas of Africa
Frankfurt Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and German-spoken areas of Switzerland
Rome Albania, Greece, Italy, Malta, San Marino and Vatican
Moscow Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan
Madrid Portugal, Spain and Spanish-spoken areas of Africa
London Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, English-spoken areas of Africa and Middle East
Asia Pacific
Sydney Pacific
Beijing Northern China, central China, and Mongolia
Hong Kong Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong
Shanghai Southern and eastern China
Delhi Bhutan, India and Nepal
Jakarta Indonesia
Seoul Korea
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and Brunei
Singapore Singapore
Bangkok Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand
Hanoi Vietnam

See also

References

  1. ↑ "JNTO Offices". www.jnto.go.jp. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
  2. ↑ "About JNTO". www.jnto.go.jp. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
  3. ↑ "Guide Services". www.jnto.go.jp. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
  4. ↑ "About JNTO". www.jnto.go.jp. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
  5. ↑ "JNTO Offices". www.jnto.go.jp. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
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