A year after saying goodbye to its beloved giant pandas, the town of Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, is working to rebuild its local tourism industry.
The pandas were previously the main attraction, drawing visitors from across the country to this small town. However, since their departure, local authorities have been forced to consider new tourism products to compensate for the loss.
Plans underway include leveraging natural landscapes, beautiful beaches, and distinctive cultural festivals to attract domestic and international tourists. In addition, efforts are being stepped up to combine eco-tours and local culinary experiences.
Nevertheless, the town's tourism management says there remain many challenges to restore visitor numbers to peak levels. They hope new promotional campaigns and discount programs will help Shirahama gradually regain its status as an appealing destination.
