Japan Tourism News
Japan suffers heaviest tourist losses in nearly 40 years
Foreign visitor numbers to Japan slumped at the fastest rate in nearly four decades due to the global downturn, swine flu fears and a strong yen, according to new data released by the JNTO.
Unravelling the mystery of Japanese luxury travel
In January 2011, a new travel exhibition is being launched to target Japan’s luxury market. BTN met up with Blossom Japan’s organiser Jay Martens to find out more.
New event targets Japanese luxury travel
A new travel trade event is being launched to target Japan’s luxury market. Blossom Japan will be held in Tokyo in January 2011 as an invitation-only, and will be run by Lucioles, the new company headed by Jay Martens, Co-Founder of the Asia Luxury Travel Market.
JAL: Banks reject bail out, government to step in
According to the latest reports in Asia, Japan’s three largest banks have decided to reject the Transport Ministry’s rehabilitation plan for the troubled JAL but the country’s new centre-left government is set to bail the company out.
Japan prepares to host three world-class sporting events
With Japan now confirmed as hosts for the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup (announced on 28 July), and with a strong proposal for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cups well under way, BTN Asia Pacific Editor Daniel Rourke is in Japan to investigate its next major bid. The hosts for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be announced by the XXXI Olympiad Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark on 2 October, with Tokyo tipped as the city to beat.
BTN spotlight: Westin Miyako, Kyoto
The 120-year-old Westin Miyako is one of Kyoto’s oldest and best loved hotels. As Japan welcomes a new government and Prime Minister to power, BTN’s Daniel Rourke spoke to Junko Funakoshi, Westin Miyako’s Manager of Advertising and Public Relations, about growing markets and changing ideas in Kyoto and Japan.
BTN spotlight: the Hilton Osaka
The Hilton Osaka is one of longest established global brand hotels in Japan’s second biggest city. It caters for the needs of business and tourism travellers alike from the city centre. BTN met up with Ms. Ai Reynolds of the Hilton Osaka to find out about the changing face of the global business and tourism market in Japan, and the hotel’s unique approach to hospitality.