This week Japan National Tourism Organization hosted media at SOKYO restaurant to discuss the future of travel to Japan, with an event featuring official guest Mr KIYA Masahiko, Consul-General of Japan in Sydney and the stars of JNTO’s new videos Gary Mehigan and Manu Feildel.
The event was generously supported with flights and accommodation prizes from All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and Hoshino Resorts, plus door prizes from Qantas.
“The border is opening step by step, with business travellers and international students currently able to enter, so we know consumer travel is the next logical step,” said JNTO’s Executive Director of the Sydney Office, Yoko Tanaka.
“We cannot wait to welcome Australians back to Japan and now is the time to start planning a trip.”
Consul-General Kiya said that in 2014 Japan had 300,000 visitors from Australia, but by 2019 it had doubled to over 600,000.
“The pandemic followed and as a result there is pent up demand for travel to Japan for Australians who come to Japan for our cuisine, our cultural traditions, and our natural experiences. We look forward to welcoming Australians back to Japan.”
The evening was highlighted with destination updates, especially on the Shikoku region which was named in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2022’ list, with Shikoku ranked sixth in the Top 10 Regions category because of the sustainability of the region.
JNTO also encouraged Australians to go beyond the well-trodden Golden Route.
Mehigan and Feildel shared personal anecdotes about Japan from miso sommeliers, shopping for knives, the joy of skiing, the art of sumo and the journey of discovery that takes place with a heavy culinary theme.
Guests were also able to witness an abridged version of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony to recreate the experience of Japan at our own doorstep.
Tanaka noted that the key themes for 2022 that will be of interest to Australians are sustainable tourism, eco-friendliness being important as well as the preservation of local cultures and traditions; adventure travel, meaning not only adrenalin-laced outdoor experiences but also pushing outside of one’s comfort zone to experience Japan’s ancient traditions; and high-end experiential travel.
All Nippon Airways’ Ryo Sadayuki, Japan Airlines’ Hitoshi Hanasaki, Hoshino Resorts’ Australian representative Amelia Spagnolo-Messinger and Qantas’ Amanda Bolger all echoed JNTO’s sentiments, sharing their passion for Japan and expecting the bolster to travel once borders open to Japan, with excitement and anticipation.
To watch JNTO’s new videos, visit: https://www.youtube.com/visitjapanau
For more information, visit: https://www.japan.travel/en/