JNTO Celebrates

The Discover Japan dinner event in Vancouver last week was the setting for a celebration of new visitor benchmarks for the Japan National Tourism Organization in Canada.

Canadian travellers to Japan increased in number by 26.5% in 2015 over 2014, making it one of the top source markets for Japan in the world. The total of over 231,000 visitors from Canada is the most ever.

A big factor in generating those numbers is an increase in lift from Canada. Travellers can choose flights from Canada on three carriers, including Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Air Canada. Another key factor is a travel agenda that focuses on ancient traditions and culture in Japan. These are a priority for many Canadian travellers to Japan.

A draw at the end of the evening proved lucky for those who won flight tickets to Japan. Amongst those were Alfredo del Arenal of Mexi-Can Holidays in Vancouver, who was the winner of economy class tickets for one to Japan with Air Canada, and Lucinda Ma of Marco Polo Tours in Vancouver, who won flight tickets to Japan on Japan Airlines.

Pictured, Air Canada executives Bonnie Walker, western Canada director of sales, and Rocky Lo, AC director of business development (r), joined dignitaries Mineo Hiyazaki, the Japan Consul for economic affairs, based in Vancouver (centre left) and Hideaki Nakazawa, executive director of the Japan National Tourism Organization. Nakazawa was visiting Vancouver from Toronto to host the Discover Japan dinner event.