JAL, which has bases throughout the country, has been continuously implementing initiatives to revitalize local communities (currently known as the “JAL Hometown Project”), and In August 2020, the company launched the “JAL Hometown Ambassadors” program, in which flight attendants selected through an internal application process relocate to local communities to promote initiatives in their respective regions. Additionally, in December of the same year, the company appointed the “JAL Hometown Support Team,” whose members engage in regional revitalization efforts while continuing to fly. The aim is to utilize the expertise cabin crew members have cultivated in their roles to develop products and solve regional challenges in their hometowns or areas with which they have ties.
We spoke with Chiharu Ishii, a JAL Hometown Ambassador who is involved in promoting the charms of Wakayama.
――Please tell us about your efforts.
Hello, everyone! I’m Ishii, the Hometown Ambassador in charge of Wakayama at the Western Japan Branch. To encourage as many people as possible from across the country to visit Wakayama via Kumano-Shirahama Resort Airport, I work hand in hand with local residents to share daily updates on social media about recommended spots and must-try local cuisine. My goal is to connect people with Wakayama through “air travel” and contribute to building a city full of smiles.
――How are you involved in this initiative?
Today, I’d like to introduce the central-southern region of Wakayama Prefecture (Hidaka-gawa Town, Inami Town, Minabe Town, Tanabe City, and Shirahama Town), an area blessed with mountains, the sea, hot springs, and a rich culinary culture. I personally visit these places—where history and nature thrive, from “Nanbu Ume Forest,” Japan’s premier plum-growing region, to the World Heritage Site “Kumano Kodo”—and work every day to uncover the “authentic experiential value” that can only be found there. I aim to share Wakayama’s little-known charms with the rest of the country and help revitalize the region.
――Please tell us about the appeal of this location.
“JAL Wellness & Travel” is a JAL healthcare service that lets you earn miles while enjoying a walk. Currently, for a limited time through November 5, there are 10 check-in spots throughout Wakayama Prefecture where you can earn miles! In this article, we’ll take you on a tour of five carefully selected spots from this list, showcasing the unique charms of Wakayama along the way.
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