FEATURE JAPAN
“Agents should know that Japan is
very much open for business,” said InsideJapan Tours’ James Mundy. “'With uncrowded tourist spots and
an extra warm welcome, now's the time to see the country at its best.”
What’s New British Airways became the first airline to fly to Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport in February 2011 and has a five- times-weekly service from Heathrow. ANA is launching the new Boeing 787
Dreamliner on domestic route Haneda to Hiroshima and Okayama on November 1. In 2012, the first Japanese LCC, Peach, launches from Osaka to Sapporo and Fukuoka (March) and Seoul (May). AirAsia Japan launches domestic and international routes from Tokyo's Narita Airport from August and Jetstar Japan from Tokyo and Osaka to key Asian cities by December. The bullet train network from the
south (Kagoshima) to north (Aomori) was completed in March with the fastest bullet train yet , Hayabusa, to Tohoku. Current special offers include 50 per
cent off every second night at Hyatt hotels, £500 per couple off Travel Indochina's 10-day 'Highlights of Japan' and two free Tokyo nights for small groups in 2011 with InsideJapan Tours.
From the Front Line THOMAS STAPLETON
regional product manager, North Asia and Arabia, Audley
"Japan developed in isolation, giving rise to a distinct culture and feels totally different. Before the earthquake, tourism was booming and we'd seen a huge increase in enquiries compared to last
JAPAN Top Selling Tips...
year. Interest is now coming back and clients are increasingly confident about returning. Recent events haven't affected places a first-time visitor goes. Clients have returned with glowing reports; and the Japanese are even more welcoming."
YAOW BUTWISATE-LOK Far East product manager Cox & Kings "Japan is a unique mix of
futuristic cities and strong traditions. The 'Golden Triangle' has always sold well and most clients we had to cancel in 2011 expressed a strong interest in re-booking. We're now looking to promote Hokkaido's natural scenery. Relatively untouched by tourism, it's particularly stunning in winter and famous for its snow festival and ice sculptures."
JAMES MUNDY PR & marketing manager InsideJapan Tours "There is only one Japan
and it's important clients know it's open
• Make everyday a new experience: "Stay in a ryokan (Japanese Inn), try a natural hot bath (onsen), jump on a bullet train and sample the food"
JOHN TELFER, product and operations director, Explore
• Get a Japan Rail Pass before you go: "Japan Rail passes for seven, 14 or 21 consecutive days are a convenient, great value way to explore the country"
CLIVE BUCKINGHAM, Manager Outbound Leisure, JTB UK
• Visit a lesser known treasure: "The picturesque samurai castle city, Kanazawa, has one of Japan's top three gardens"
JAMES MUNDY, PR and marketing manager, InsideJapan Tours
• Experience the joys of the seasons: "Spring cherry blossoms are spectacular against Tokyo skyscrapers"
NANDITA PATEL, product executive Funway Far East
for business - we launched an informative newsletter for agents this March. Small group tours like our 13-night ‘Japan Unmasked’ at £1,600pp have proved more popular since the tsunami, we offer voluntourism packages to the affected area for those who want to help and new for 2012 is a 14-night cultural group tour ‘Hands on Japan’."
MIKE FRANK Travel Counsellors "Those that appreciate good service, interesting
culture, varied food and a unique experience enjoy Japan. I recently booked a honeymoon which included trendy clubs in Tokyo and I've sold Tokyo as a stopover to Australia. Japan isn't easy to sell as it still has a reputation as expensive, although the rest of the world has caught up with the prices, and
From left: A lavender field in Hokkaido; Tokyo; the stunning colours of autumn. Facing page: A bamboo forest in Kyoto
ARE YOU READY FOR JAPAN?
JAPAN SPECIALIST TEL: 020 8237 1605 JTB UK Ltd. I
info@japanspecialist.co.uk I
www.japanspecialist.co.uk Untitled-1 1
www.sellinglonghaul.com • October 2011 47 09/09/2011 09:14:32
From a Japan Rail Pass to an escorted tour of Japan, from the Fuji Rock Festival to a tradi- tional parade in Kyoto, JTB UK offers specialist travel to Japan.
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