Tourism Expo Japan 2023, Japan’s showcase for domestic and international travel, commenced in Osaka yesterday (October 26) with a series of high-level speeches and seminars discussing the future of travel.
Delegations from some 20 countries and representatives from leading global tourism organisations joined Japanese ministers to consider how to “rethink tourism” to make it more socially and environmentally sustainable in the post-lockdown era, ahead of the opening of the event to the public over October 28 to 29.
Organised by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Japan Travel and Tourism Association and the Japan Association of Travel Agents, with special cooperation from All Nippon Travel Agents Association, the event will focus on “travel aspects that support a bright future”, according to the secretariat. These include adventure tourism, the digitalisation of travel, workations, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and engagement with Gen Z.
Welcoming everyone, JNTO president Atsumi Gamo said the event would offer attendees an experience “filled with discovery” and “present the future of travel”, which Japan hopes will contribute to sustainable regional development.
With Osaka as host, for the first time in four years, the event is also designed to put a spotlight on developments related to Expo 2025, which will be held in a nearby venue from April 13 to October 15, 2025. Seminars and performances at Tourism Expo Japan will showcase Expo 2025 while a special zone manned by 11 companies and organisations, which will be dedicated to travel in Osaka and the surrounding Kansai region.
Hirofumi Yoshimura, governor of Osaka Prefecture, said the event will “generate excitement” for not just those attending Expo 2025 but also for visiting nearby areas, either beforehand or afterwards.
Tourism Expo Japan is expected to attract 150,000 visitors over the four days, with attendance by 1,275 companies and organisations as well as representatives from 70 countries and regions.
