Tuesday, August 20, 2024 Greater Bay Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights between Hong Kong and Yonago, a lesser-known city in Japan’s Tottori Prefecture, starting October 27. The new route is expected to draw attention from Hongkongers who frequently travel to Japan and are seeking new destinations beyond the traditional tourist hotspots like Tokyo and Osaka. This development is anticipated to have a significant impact on the airline travel industry, particularly for travelers looking to explore new locations in Japan.
Tourism experts have observed that many Hongkongers, who often visit Japan, are beginning to feel a sense of monotony with the well-trodden paths of Japan’s first-tier cities. This growing sentiment has created an opportunity for Greater Bay Airlines to introduce Yonago as an attractive alternative. Yonago, located on the western coast of Honshu island, is around 200 kilometers north of Hiroshima and is known for its natural attractions, including Mount Daisen and the Tottori Sand Dunes.
The airline’s decision to expand its network to include this city reflects a broader trend in the industry where airlines are exploring second-tier cities to cater to the evolving preferences of travelers. Greater Bay Airlines’ new service between Hong Kong and Yonago Kitaro Airport will operate three times a week. The airline has already been meeting demand for this route through charter flights during the summer holiday period.
The decision to formalize this route with scheduled flights is seen as a strategic move, especially since no other local carrier offers direct flights to Yonago from Hong Kong. This exclusivity positions Greater Bay Airlines to capitalize on a niche market segment, likely leading to high demand for the new route. Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, highlighted that this new destination could become increasingly popular among Hongkongers, particularly for its hot springs, winter snow, and scenic landscapes.
The potential success of this route underscores the airline industry’s ongoing shift toward catering to more specialized travel experiences, particularly as travelers seek out unique and less crowded destinations. Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, commented that the expansion into second-tier Japanese cities is a logical progression for airlines, given Japan’s continued popularity among Hongkongers. The new route to Yonago is expected to benefit not just the airline but also the local tourism industry in Yonago and Tottori Prefecture.
Japanese authorities are likely to support such initiatives, as they seek to replicate the success of tourism development seen in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka in other parts of the country. This strategic focus on lesser-known destinations can help distribute the economic benefits of tourism more evenly across Japan, potentially leading to sustainable growth in regions that have historically been overlooked by international travelers. The introduction of this new route comes with competitive pricing.
A search on the Greater Bay Airlines website revealed that a return ticket for flights between October 27 and November 5 costs HK$2,038 (approximately US$262). The outbound flight to Yonago Kitaro Airport, located in Sakaiminato, costs HK$1,190, with a flight duration of three hours and 35 minutes. While the inbound flight was marked as free on the website, passengers would still need to pay HK$848 in surcharges.
This pricing structure is likely to encourage travelers to explore Yonago as a new destination, making it accessible to a broader audience. Currently, travelers wishing to visit Yonago from Hong Kong must first transit through another major city in Japan, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming. The direct flights offered by Greater Bay Airlines will eliminate this barrier, making Yonago more accessible and attractive to Hongkongers.
Yonago itself is a major city in western Tottori Prefecture, renowned for its scenic beauty and cultural significance. The area is dominated by Mount Daisen, a large volcanic mountain that offers a picturesque backdrop for tourists. Additionally, Sakaiminato, where Yonago Kitaro Airport is located, is famous as the childhood home of legendary manga artist Shigeru Mizuki.
The airport is named after Kitaro, the one-eyed ghost boy from Mizuki’s popular comic book series “GeGeGe no Kitaro.” Visitors to Sakaiminato can also explore Mizuki Shigeru Road, which features 170 bronze statues of characters from the artist’s manga. Greater Bay Airlines began its scheduled services in July 2022 and has since expanded its network to include destinations like Bangkok, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Manila, and Haikou.
The airline operates a fleet of eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and the addition of Yonago to its route map marks another step in its expansion strategy. As Yonago gains popularity, it is likely that other airlines may consider adding similar routes, leading to increased competition and potentially more options for travelers. The introduction of direct flights between Hong Kong and Yonago is expected to have a global ripple effect on the travel industry.
As travelers increasingly seek out unique destinations, airlines may continue to diversify their route offerings to include lesser-known cities, thereby reshaping global travel patterns. The success of this route could inspire other airlines to follow suit, further boosting the visibility of second-tier cities and contributing to the overall growth of the global tourism industry..
