Tourism & Hospitality | Monday 24 April, 2017 12:05 pm |

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will participate in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) for the first time as part of the organization’s strategy to proactively reach out and welcome more visitors from the Middle East, and help it achieve its objective of 40 million international visitors by 2020.

The 2017 edition of ATM, which will be held in Dubai from April 24 – 27 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will provide an ideal platform for JNTO and its partners to directly engage with the Middle East’s travel professionals and provide them relevant information and contacts for them to confidently promote the destination to their clients seeking quality, welcoming, memorable and unique experiences.

The number of international visitors to Japan has been growing dramatically year on year. By participating in the Arabian Travel Market, JNTO hopes to create many mutually beneficial partnerships with the region’s leading travel professionals and airlines, to encourage more visitors from the Middle East to experience the wonder, beauty and hospitality that only Japan can provide. 

In just three years since 2013 the number of international visitors to Japan has more than doubled, resulting in over 24 million visitors travelling to Japan in 2016 compared to the 10.3 million experienced in 2013. 2016 marks the first time Japan has welcomed more than 20 million visitors in one year. Having achieved this milestone result, the target of welcoming 40 million visitors before the country hosts the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020 seems an ever more realisable goal for the Japanese tourism industry.

When targeting Middle Eastern guests JNTO is keen to highlight the country’s unique heritage, modern pop culture, luxury experiences, tax free shopping and Japan’s traditional ‘washoku’ cuisine - which has been designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In order to make Muslim and Middle Eastern guests as welcome and comfortable as possible, many hotel, hospitality and restaurant partners throughout Japan have made extensive efforts to learn the cultural and religious needs of Muslim guests, including making available various services and offerings that are Halal or Muslim-friendly. All this information can be easily accessed through the dedicated Muslim Guide website at: http://muslimguide.jnto.go.jp/eng/

Joining the JNTO Japan pavilion are representatives from the tourism related authorities of Hokkaido, the Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hotel Granvia Kyoto, Japan’s Prince Hotels, Ayabex and J-Links, Japanese destination management companies.

Special promotional packages to Japan created in collaboration with Cathay Pacific, and made exclusively for travellers from the United Arab Emirates, will also be launched at the Arabian Travel Market to further entice visitors with great holiday deals. Tokyo-Mt. Fuji - Kyoto package includes return flights from Dubai with Cathay Pacific, a one way Bullet Train ride from Tokyo to Kyoto, three night accommodation with breakfast at each of Shinagawa Prince Hotels in Tokyo and Hotel Granvia Kyoto, Tokyo city tour, Mt. Fuji & Hakone tour, Kyoto city tours and airport transfers by English speaking drivers. The price starts at AED 9,950 per person with twin / double sharing basis, and subject to seasonal surcharges. These special packages including this will be available through local UAE travel agents and valid until the end of December 2017.

Japan offers unique experiences not only by region, but also by season. For those visiting Japan for the first time you will warmly be welcomed for a holiday experience like no other, and for those that have visited Japan before, it is encouraged to visit Japan again in a different season to re-enliven the senses with different seasonal sights, tastes and encounters.    

For further information regarding travel to Japan visit: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/