Last month, I participated in the Ishigaki Chamber of Commerce Tourism Division’s field excursion trip. This was my third time joining, and this time, the destination was Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture. The main topic was the “accommodation tax,” a hot topic in Okinawa, which plans to introduce in the future.
Officials from Kanazawa City’s Tax Department and the Kanazawa Chamber of Commerce explained the system. Kanazawa has been implementing the accommodation tax since 2019, with cooperation from local hotels, allowing for various uses of the collected funds. The revenue is allocated not only for infrastructure improvements but also for initiatives aimed at enhancing tourism-related services, including projects to improve tourist etiquette.
For school trips, which are a major concern in Okinawa, the accommodation tax is also applied. However, there is a separate support program available, for schools from both inside and outside the prefecture.
Kanazawa does not primarily consider itself a tourist city but rather a cultural city. This perspective is reflected in the preservation of the city’s beautiful streetscapes, also thanks to ordinances, for both traditional and modern buildings. It serves as a great example for many regions, including Ishigaki Island, to learn from in becoming more attractive for visitors and residents alike.
