Currently, we are having regular meetings to finalize the content and structure of the video, keeping in mind how we want the viewers to feel.
We hope that this video will not only reach out to someone who can make the island their foundation and expand into new "connections" but also create new friends both on and off the island.
A new initiative employing velotaxis is underway!
Niijima, "An island that connects with the new," has introduced the velotaxi as a chance at creating experiences that make connections and make you a friend of the island. It has also been an effective solution for secondary transportation.
We've registered with the OTA (Online Travel Agency) website, aini (formerly TABICA), to connect the islanders with people outside the island by having our members and other islanders drive the velotaxis and guide visitors around Niijima. A guide plan is also in the works. In fact, one of our users said, "I love Niijima! No matter how many times I visit, there's always something new to see. I'm already looking at my calendar to see when I'll need a velotaxi ride next time!" (* Excerpt from a user review on aini). The velotaxi has already proven to be an effective tool at creating experiences that make connections and make you a friend of the island.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been challenging to accept tourists and recruit non-member drivers on the island. As a result, our operations in the future remain unknown.
Keeping a positive outlook, we began thinking of creative ways to form connections like the velotaxi instead of operating the same way while COVID-19 continues. After throwing ideas back and forth, we decided to make a video expressing the kind of "connection" you can get from the velotaxi.
For the members of Niijima, the velotaxi is a symbol of excitement, forming bonds with people outside the island. "New initiatives like the velotaxi can be actively implemented in Niijima!" "Niijima is a place where we can work together with the people of the island to make things fun!" these are the shared thoughts of everyone here. Spreading messages such as these create an excellent opportunity to communicate with the people who want to form these kinds of connections on Niijima.
