(MVA) — The Marianas Visitors Authority joined representatives of other international countries and regions, businesses, and organizations at Tourism Expo Japan 2024 on Sept. 26-29, in Tokyo, Japan.
Tourism Expo Japan is organized annually by Japan Travel & Tourism Association, Japan Association of Travel Agents, and Japan National Tourism Organization. This year’s expo attracted 182,900 attendees. The expo was held at the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center and included national tourism agencies, airlines, hotels, travel agencies, cruise companies, other tourism professionals and the traveling public. MVA joined other exhibitors in providing the latest tourism information to visitors and professional members of the travel trade.
The theme for this year’s event was “Travel, an Encounter with New Value Awaits.” The first two days of the expo were focused on B2B appointments and walk-in meetings with travel trade and media partners, while the last two days were open to the public. This year, over 71,000 tourism professionals and media reps joined the event on the travel trade days, while an estimated 54,000 consumers joined the final days of the event.
During travel trade days, MVA conducted B2B meetings with representatives of Aeon Compass Co Ltd, Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd., NOE Corp., Aeon Compass, HIS Co., Ltd., Nihonbashi Yumeya Co., Ltd., Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd., Traicy Japan Inc., Nippon Travel Agency, Travel Plaza International, Inc., JTB Corp, Freelance, Toyota Tourists group, and Skymark Airlines.
“The Marianas presence at this year’s Tourism Expo Japan was strong, with a colorful booth design, our exciting cultural demonstrations drawing a crowd, and representatives of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and Japan-Saipan Travel Association joining the MVA in promoting our destination,” said MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion. “The appetite for international travel is still recovering among Japanese and the strength of the U.S. dollar is still the Marianas’ biggest challenge in attracting visitors from the market. Nonetheless, there was still interest in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, which we know will draw more visitors as soon as market conditions improve.”
Indigenous Carolinian dances were performed by Chamolinian Cultural Village Inc. Refaluwasch Domatsuri Warriors, drawing a crowd to the Marianas booth where MVA shared information and collaterals about the destination and its tourism resources. MVA was joined by representatives of JSTA and Aqua Resort Club Saipan, Grandvrio Resort Saipan, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Skydive Saipan, and Saipan World Resort in promoting the destination.
In addition, visitors to the booth participated in indigenous “mwar”-making (floral head lei) and coconut leaves weaving and viewed videos about Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands. In a roulette game, visitors to the booth had a chance to win hotel stay certificates, dive certificates, golf, and waterpark certificates donated by members.
Tourism Expo Japan provides opportunities for travel professionals to exchange travel information and conduct effective business meetings, while inspiring consumers to travel. This year’s Tourism Expo Japan launched the Sustainable Development Goals Stamp Rally Program project to raise awareness of sustainability within the tourism industry. The SDGs were established with the aim of achieving a sustainable, diverse, and inclusive society where no one is left behind. MVA participated in the Stamp Rally program by providing eco bags and pencils sets.
Following the expo, MVA representatives also met with major travel agencies and operators JTB, TP Micronesia and HIS to discuss market conditions and potential strategies to attract more visitors to the Marianas.
United Airlines flies to Saipan in the Marianas three times a week from Tokyo.
Members of the public visit the Marianas booth during Tourism Expo Japan 2024 held on Sept. 26-29, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.
From left, Phillip Pio Nogis, Keanu Hosono, Kenji Hosono and Ian Kaniki perform indigenous Carolinian dances and draw a crowd to the Marianas booth during Tourism Expo Japan 2024 held on Sept. 26-29, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.
The Marianas Visitors Authority — along with representatives of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and Japan-Saipan Travel Association — conducts B2B meetings at the Marianas booth during Tourism Expo Japan 2024 held on Sept. 26-29, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.
Members of the public learn “mwar”-making from Del Lieto, front, at the Marianas booth during Tourism Expo Japan 2024 held on Sept. 26-29, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.
Marianas Visitors Authority Board Member Sachiko Gerrard, seated second left, and Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion, standing center, lead the Marianas delegation during Tourism Expo Japan 2024 held on Sept. 26-29, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.
