Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) hosted educational seminars in Brisbane and Sydney for the travel trade last week. The biggest ever delegation of more than 40 representatives from the Japanese tourism industry visited Australia to support JNTO’s ‘become an expert’ roadshow initiative.
The Japanese Consulate-Generals of Brisbane and Sydney and JNTO Sydney Executive Director, Kana Wakabayashi, welcomed the agents. Trade updates, new developments, plans for 2019 to engage the industry further and updates on Rugby World Cup were shared by JNTO’s Thomas Hiraoka.
Australia continues to be a key market for Japan with the most recent figures from October 2018 showing that there were 47,400 Australian visitors that month, another 20 percent increase on the same month in 2017. Of the 448,900 Australian visitors between January and October 2018 (12.6% Growth), the vast majority (91 percent) visited Japan as tourists.
Special guest speaker Craig Wing (former dual-international for Australian Rugby League and Japan Rugby Union) shared his experiences of life in Japan whilst playing rugby union for the Japan national team.
More agents than ever participated in this year’s roadshow hosted by JNTO. The 277 Australian agents were invited to ‘become experts’ and enjoyed the opportunity to meet 45 suppliers including from local governments, DMCs, accommodation, attractions and transportation.
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