JNTO tells Aussies to start planning Japan trips now

By James Harrison

Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) hosted media at SOKYO restaurant on Tuesday night where representatives from the organisation, the stars of JNTO’s new advertising campaign Gary Mehigan and Manu Feildel, and The Consul-General of Japan, Kiya Masahiko discussed all things Japan.

JNTO’s executive director of the Sydney office, Yoko Tanaka, anticipated the return of travel to Japan and encouraged Aussies to start planning.

“The border is opening step by step, with business travellers and international students currently able to enter, so we know consumer travel is the next logical step,” she said.

“We cannot wait to welcome Australians back to Japan and now is the time to start planning a trip.”

Tanaka predicted that the key travel themes in 2022 for Aussies are sustainable tourism, eco-friendliness, and the preservation of local cultures and traditions; adventure travel, meaning not just wild outdoor experiences but pushing outside of one’s comfort zone to experience Japan’s ancient traditions; and high-end experiential travel.

Masahiko added to Tanaka’s sentiment: “In 2014 Japan had 300,000 visitors from Australia, but by 2019 it had doubled to over 600,000.

“The pandemic followed and as a result, there is pent up demand for travel to Japan for Australians who come to Japan for our cuisine, our cultural traditions, and our natural experiences. We look forward to welcoming Australians back to Japan.”

JNTO provided destination updates on Japan and encouraged Aussies to go beyond the well-trodden Golden Route.

Mehigan and Feildel shared personal anecdotes about Japan from miso sommeliers, shopping for knives, the joy of skiing, the art of sumo and the journey of discovery that takes place with a heavy culinary theme.

The event was supported with flights and accommodation prizes from All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and Hoshino Resorts, plus door prizes from Qantas.

JNTO’s anticipation of Japanese travel to return comes after the organisation launched its new advertising campaign earlier this year featuring Mehigan and Fieldel.

The celebrity chef duo reminisce on their favourite Japanese experiences in the ad.

For more info on the campaign click HERE.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

all nippon airways Gary Mehigan Golden Route Hoshino Resorts japan japan airlines Japan National Tourism Organisation jnto Kiya Masahiko Manu Feildel qantas SOKYO The Consul-General of Japan Yoko Tanaka