This year, JATA tourism stand was constructed in an area of 108 sq meters with 18 Sri Lankan Travel industry companies engaged in promoting tour packages for the Japanese market. The Sri Lanka Tourism stand was themed with main eight tourism products and specially displaying a mask wall which was a novel experience for the visitors. Each Sri Lankan Travel Company participated was provided a separate counter within the Sri Lanka stand giving much opportunity to exchange travel information and conduct effective business meetings with travel professionals from Japan.
There were three LED screens showing the Sri Lanka Tourism videos in Japanese language .There were 47 prefectures from Japan and 150 countries from all over the world exhibited at East Halls 01 – 07 at the venue. The first day of the show was opened to the travel industry only for B2B meetings on appointment scheduling. The second day also opened to the trade where business meetings were conducted at individual booths. The last two days were opened to the public at an entry fee of Yen 1300. The event attracted over 150,000 visitors during the three day event. Many Japanese media personnel also had meetings with Ms. Madubhani Perera, Director/Marketing who represented the Tourism Bureau at this event.
Sri Lanka Tourism Stand was visited by Otsuka Takashi, Secretary to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Executive Committee of Japan Association of Travel Agents . Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organized a dance troupe from the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Affairs of Western Province to perform at the travel fair which attracted a large audience. Their performances of traditional cultural items were much appreciated by the crowds.
Further Ceylon Tea counter which was operational on all three days attracted large crowds to taste Ceylon tea . During the three day period, over 5,000 Japanese visitors consumed tea at the counter.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau conducted a consumer survey at the booth where 200 Japanese visitors indicated their opinion about Sri Lanka as a tourist destination. All were offered a souvenir for participating at the survey.
Sri Lanka Tourism considers Japan as one of the main tourist generating markets for Sri Lanka and during the year 2013 there have been 31,505 Japanese tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka with an increase of 20.8% compared to 2012. During the past 9 months of 2014 there have been 29,703 Japanese arrivals which is an increase of 27.3%.
This year the JATA Tourism Expo was held at Tokyo Big Sight from 25th – 28th September 2014 organized by Japan Travel & Tourism Association (JTTA) and Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism. It was an all encompassing event showcasing the many facets of travel and the creative and varied lifestyle information and trends that spring from it.
JATA Tourism Expo was an ideal forum for showcasing destinations, while inspiring consumers through the power of travel. (KH)
