THE Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is ramping up its promotions in India as part of a strategy to attract more leisure travellers from emerging markets.
Speaking during a recent cultural event commemorating 60 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations, Motonari Adachi, executive director, JNTO Singapore Office, said the NTO was looking to target the high-end Indian leisure segment.
“We will take 16 travel (consultants from India) on a fam trip to Japan in November to showcase our tourism products that can be offered to high-end Indian families. We have also roped in Bollywood starlet, Dia Mirza, to (help us) promote Japan,” he said.
Additionally, JNTO is leveraging social media platforms such its Visit Japan from India Facebook page (www.facebook.com/VisitJapan.India) to raise awareness among Indian travellers.
JNTO’s efforts look set to receive a boost from increasing air capacity between India and Japan. All Nippon Airways started daily flights from Tokyo to New Delhi on October 28, while Japan Airlines will reinstate daily flights on the same route in December.
“Close to three lakh (300,000) Indian tourists visit Japan every year. Enhanced (air) connectivity is likely to lure more tourists to (Japan),” said Prem Syal, CEO & managing director, Hi! Tours India.
Japan has set a target of 80,000 Indian visitors in 2012. From January-August, there were 45,200 Indian arrivals to Japan, an 18.4 per cent year-on-year growth.
