NEWS
JAPAN LOOKING TO INCREASE RANGE OF CRUISE PORTS
James Chapple
Japan is seeking to disperse its growing number of cruise guests more broadly by promoting calls to a bigger range of destinations across the island nation. Matt Joslin, PR and communications
manager at the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) (AS800), told TTG at WTM London cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Silversea and Celebrity Cruises were already looking to utilise Japan’s growing number of ports capable of handling cruise ships. JNTO’s aim, said Joslin, was to shift
focus away from established choke points like Tokyo and Kyoto and promote the idea of taking in some of Japan’s cultural experiences, such as its spring cherry blossom, elsewhere across the country. “We want to make people think about different destinations and travelling in different seasons,” he added. Joslin highlighted
Japan’s southerly Kyushu island, and particularly its Saga
prefecture, as one area that has a focus on developing cruise infrastructure. He added the country was also positioning the island of Okinawa as “the Caribbean of Asia”.
RUGBY WORLD CUP WIN GIVES SOUTH AFRICA ‘POSITIVE VIBE’
Edward Robertson, Routes News editor
South African Tourism (AF500) will be trading on the feel-good factor at WTM London 2019 following its rugby team’s victory in the recent World Cup. Kgomotso Ramothea, acting hub head for the tourist board, UK and Ireland, said the victory had given the whole country a positive vibe which she expects visitors to the country to notice. “What the World Cup did is give us a much needed lift,” Ramothea said. “The conversation is different now. People are thinking if the Springboks can do it – win the World Cup – then it gives a lot of people in South Africa hope. “[South Africa captain] Siya Kolisi was
saying it feels like 1995 [the first time the country won the World Cup with Nelson
Mandela’s support]. He is the first black captain to win the World Cup, and it shows the opportunities are there.” Ramothea added the tourist board was now marketing the Free State province in a bid to avoid overtourism in its more popular areas. The state is in the country’s interior, bordering Lesotho, and includes the Highland mountains, popular with hikers, and the cultural hub of Clarens. Elsewhere, Ramothea said the decision
by Club Med to open its first southern African resort in Durban in 2020 should further drive visitor numbers, which reached 10.5 million in 2018 and are expected to grow to 11.3 million this year. Other future drivers of traffic include MSC Cruises’ new terminal in Durban, while the British and Irish Lions’ rugby tour is also anticipated to be a big visitor draw, especially now South Africa are World Cup winners.
JUST A DROP’S GOT BOTTLE
Visitors to this year’s WTM London are being encouraged to purchase reusable water bottles at the Just a Drop stand (BL2), with proceeds helping communities around the world access clean, safe water. The bottles, sponsored by South African Airways (AF500), cost £5 and can be used to access free refills from water stations at a number of stands: ATTA Travel, (AF685), Air Europa (CA330) and Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority (CA245).
10 WTM OFFICIAL EVENT DAILY 05.11.2019
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
