The challenges of hotelships for the multiple utilization of cruise ship : Consideration for utilization of the hotelship in Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games

For the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, the claim has been made for some time that the country will face a shortage of hotels. The Japanese government announced the utilization of hotelships, whereby large cruise ships will serve as hotels, as a potential solution to the anticipated accommodation shortage. Since there has already been confirmation of the times at which visitors will flood in, the utilization of hotelships would offer an effective solution that makes it possible to secure the necessary supply when needed. However, there are a number of challenges in realizing the use of hotelships, including the matters of a business license under the Hotel Business Law, the handling of foreign crews under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, and the position of the Customs Act with regard to providing meals. There is also a concern as to whether or not the operation can be conducted with an understanding of customers’needs. This paper reviews the case of utilizing the hotel ship at the past Olympic Games, confirm the characteristics of the hotel ship, and consider the issues and utilizing the hotel ship that is being introduced at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.