Japan’s premier travel agency is partnering with 7-Eleven to make checking in for tourists more convenient – but unregulated rentals will be left out in the cold.
Japan’s convenience stores are gearing up for a new law in June that is designed to regulate the booming – and often contentious – market in short-term private rentals. 7-Eleven has just announced a new service it will be offering with Japan’s largest travel agency, JTB, which will allow guests to check in at convenience stores 24 hours a day. Dedicated terminals equipped with a camera will scan passports to confirm the identity of guests who will then be given a key. In compliance with the new law, only properties registered with the local government will be able to participate. 7-Eleven says there will 1,000 terminals in time for the 2020 Olympics. Two of the other big convenience-store chains, Lawson and FamilyMart, say that they will be following suit.
Source: Monocle Minute
