Japan partners ITB Asia
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) has formed a new partnership with ITB Asia, the region’s biggest travel trade show.
The new memorandum of cooperation between the JNTO’s Singapore office and ITB Asia’s organiser, Messe Berlin (Singapore), is aimed at enhancing Japan’s status as an international business and events destination.
Japan welcomed almost 20 million international arrivals in 2015 and is placing a major focus on its tourism industry as it aims to double its inbound visitor numbers by the time it hosts the Olympics in 2020.
“Tourism is a vital part of Japan’s growth strategy and our partnership with ITB Asia to attract international MICE travellers is one of the many efforts that further open our doors in achieving the government’s growth trajectory target of 40 million by 2020,” said Susan Ong, deputy director of the JNTO and Japan Convention Bureau (JCB) in Singapore. “Our myriad of destinations… make us an exceptional and attractive MICE destination to international businesses.”
According to the 2015 report by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Japan hosted 355 international meetings last year, ranking top in Asia and seventh in the World. The country will also host the 2019 World Rugby Cup before the Tokyo Olympics a year later.
“Japan is a prime MICE destination in the region. It’s a perfect combination of first-class infrastructure, range of unique destinations, excellent hospitality, world-class food, heightened safety and cleanliness which draws international appeal,” said Katrina Leung, executive director of Messe Berlin (Singapore).
“It gives us great pleasure to be in partnership with the Japan National Tourism Organisation of Singapore. ITB Asia will be the go-to platform that connects visitors and buyers, in effort to further drive Japan forward.”
Last year, ITB Asia attracted close to 760 exhibitors from 73 countries, as well as 880 buyers and more than 10,300 attendees over three days. This year’s edition will take place in Singapore from 19-21 October 2016, and the JNTO will have a booth at the show to provide delegates with information about the country and its tourism facilities.
Comments are closed.