Japan to woo Malaysians at fair

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Published on Saturday, 24 February 2018 17:20

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Borneo Bulletin, Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (The Star/ ANN) – A cherry blossoms wonderland will greet visitors at the upcoming Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair March 2018.

The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) plans to decorate its booths at the fair with a stunning display of artificial cherry blossoms, evoking the cherry blossoms in Japan. Japan was chosen as Asia’s Favourite Destination for the March 2018 Fair. It was also Asia’s Favourite Destination at the MATTA Fair in March 2013 and September 2013.

JNTO Kuala Lumpur office executive director Chiemi Maruyama said that JNTO’s participation in the fair would boost efforts to encourage more Malaysian tourists to Japan.

“In 2017, Malaysia ranked second in terms of tourists to Japan from South-East Asian countries and eight among countries around the world, so Malaysia is an important market for us,” said Maruyama at Wisma MATTA recently.

She added that Malaysian tourists increased by 11.5 per cent to 439,500 visitors last year from 394,268 in 2016. JNTO was keen to promote lesser known areas in Japan to Malaysian tourists during the fair, she said.

“Japan is a land of endless discovery,” she said. She said that Japan was also keen to attract more Muslim tourists.

“Japan is a Muslim-friendly destination and we have also released some Muslim-friendly guidebooks.”

JNTO is organising several activities for visitors to the fair. “There will be a cherry blossom corner … and a yukata photo session and games such as kendama,” said Maruyama.

She said there would be 23 exhibitors from Japan, including Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organisation, Tokyo Hotels, Hankyu Hanshin Hotels Co Ltd, and East Japan Railway Company.

MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said Japan’s participation as Asia’s Favourite Destination for the March Fair would encourage closer ties between Japan and Malaysia.

“Japan was top on the list for sales revenue recorded for international destinations at the September 2017 MATTA Fair,” said Tan, adding that the visa-free status has encouraged more Malaysians to travel there.

He said tourism between the two countries was a two-way traffic, as 326,594 Japanese tourists came to Malaysia in 2017.

 

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