3 October 2011, Singapore – The trade show for the Asian Travel Market – ITB Asia 2011, will get Japan as the partner country from 19 – 21 October in Singapore.
This multi-agency intiative partnership comes with the support of Messe Berlin, Singapore Tourism Board and Pico, providing Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) the platform to showcase the country’s recovery from the March 11 earthquake and also promote the destination to an expected 6,000 attendees at the three day trade show.
“Japan is a key player in the global travel industry and tourism is a major contributor to the nation’s economy. By rallying the support of the regional travel industry through ITB Asia, we hope to spur on a faster recovery and contribute towards its overall social and economic growth,” says Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia.
In 2009, PhoCusWright’s Asia Pacific Online Travel Overview (Fourth Edition issued in May 2011) ranked Japan as the largest total and online travel market in Asia Pacific, contributing gross bookings amounting to US$75.5 billion or 34% of the region’s total travel market. A Union of International Associations study also showed that Japan ranked second in the ‘Top International Meetings Country’ category in 2010, making Japan one of the world’s preferred business events destination.
JTA will also update on the remarkable progress of the post-earthquake rehabilitation work as well as unveil marketing and promotional initiatives aimed at restoring consumer confidence and encouraging the return of the traveller. Some of the attractions include the Shizuoka Prefectural Government, home of Mount Fuji, alongside co-exhibitors such as Prince Hotels and Resorts, Hoshino Resort and Nippon Travel Agency.
“The Asian markets play a very significant role in contributing to Japan’s inbound and outbound tourism. Tourist arrivals from Asian countries accounts for almost 70% of Japan’s international visitors. Despite the challenging post- earthquake recovery plans which Japan is spearheading, we aim to continue our support for the travel industry,” says
Hiroshi Mizohata, Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency (JTA)
“With the hotel and tourism operators coming from Japan to participate, this will mark JNTO’s 3rd appearance at this ITB Asia 2011 held in Singapore. It is an excellent platform to promote and showcase Japan as the perfect destination for leisure and business. ” says JNTO Singapore’s Executive Director Motonari Adachi.
JNTO’s arrival statistics showed that 180,960 Singaporeans visited Japan in 2010. This is a new record high surpassing the 2008’s arrival of 167,894. Japan was also ranked among the top five most popular destinations amongst Singaporeans during a survey conducted at NATAS Holidays Fair 2011 held from 26 to 28 August.
Says Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), “As a country with a traditionally strong travel and tourism industry, Japan has always been an important partner in Asia. This collaboration at ITB Asia and TravelRave will further strengthen existing tourism co-operations and leverage growth opportunities in the region. We look forward to a continued partnership and bilateral exchanges between our two countries.”
ITB Asia is a partner event of TravelRave, a mega travel and tourism festival week organized by the Singapore Tourism Board to be held in Singapore this month.
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