Japanese OTA Rakuten Travel recently hosted a closed-door influencer gathering as well as a public engagement in Singapore’s CBD in a bid to inspire greater interest in Japan.
The influencer gathering on March 27 was attended by almost 40 guests with a combined reach of nearly four million. Attendees were introduced to Rakuten Travel’s extensive features, including its wide range of travel services and the largest selection of Japanese hotels among travel agencies in Japan.
Rakuten Travel also hosted a public ice cream giveaway event on March 28 at Raffles Place to offer attendees a taste of Japan.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, this initiative aims to capitalise on the growing popularity of Japan as a travel destination, with the number of visitors from Singapore hitting a record high of 591,000 in 2023 – a 20 per cent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Rakuten Travel provides an extensive range of ryokans (Japanese-style inns) and hotels throughout the country and is committed to offering a “Japan Quality” experience throughout the entire accommodation booking journey.
Its 2023 booking data showed that Singaporeans ventured to remote destinations in Japan, such as Toyama, Miyazaki, Tokushima and Kumamoto Prefectures. During their visits, many stayed at ryokans featuring natural hot springs and traditional Japanese kaiseki meals. The value per booking was double that of Japanese domestic travellers, reflecting their preference for extended and upscale stays.
Coming up this year, Rakuten Travel will partner with local retailers and banks, such as Don Don Donki Singapore, to offer Singaporeans more exclusive hotel plans and promotions.
Jeremy Bek, global head of Rakuten Travel, said: “These events mark the launch of our comprehensive engagement strategy for Singapore. We are committed to significantly growing our presence by engaging Singaporeans directly and helping them discover unique and authentic Japanese stays through our booking platform.”
