Malaysian outbound agents are eyeing Japan as a new destination to sell from June 10 when borders are finally eased open for foreign, non-essential travellers.
Forward bookings is strong for Malaysia based Apple Vacations & Conventions, which is planning group departures from next month.
Koh Yock Heng, the agency’s group managing director, shared that itineraries would include more outdoor and nature-based activities, and group sizes would be limited to 25 people to cater to travellers’ preference post-lockdown.
In conjunction with year-end school holidays, Apple Vacations is organising six charter flights to Hokkaido as well as selling tours to other parts of Japan on scheduled airlines. Of the 5,000 seats available, including the charters, some 45 per cent has been sold, shared Koh.
Rosli Seth, managing director of Feel Japan with K, also has departures to Kanazawa and Tokyo in July and August. Programmes will avoid crowded places during peak hours as a health precaution.
Japan’s strict requirements for inbound travellers, which include group travel only, present business opportunities for travel agents, said Adam Kamal, general manager, Suka Travel, who noted that pre-pandemic, Malaysian travellers typically made their own bookings and arrangements instead of relying on agents.
