(MVA) — At the invitation of Toyota Tsusho, a subsidiary of the Toyota Group, the Marianas Visitors Authority and AK Toyota dealership in Saipan had the opportunity to promote The Marianas in person at the Toyota Group Thanks Sale held on Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 7 & 8) in Nagoya, Japan. Together, they launched the ‘Tomodachi-Marianas by Toyota Tsusho’ campaign to an estimated 15,000 attendees. Tomodachi translates as “friend” in English.
Toyota Group is the largest company in Japan and includes automobile-related, apparel, medical, housing, insurance, food, steel, iron, social contribution, travel, heavy equipment manufacturing, real estate, construction, computer software, and sports businesses. The company’s in-house travel company — Toyota Tourist — contacted MVA in December 2023 to invite the tourism office to join their annual employee appreciation sale and share about the tourist attractions in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
“Toyota Tsusho reached out to partner with MVA in our continuing marketing efforts to increase visitor arrivals from Japan, as they know that our success translates to more visitors, a stronger economy and better business,” said MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion. “At the fair we had an enthusiastic response from people who stopped by The Marianas promotional display. We hope this will be the start of a continuing relationship with Toyota toward our mutual goals.”
At the fair, MVA, Toyota Tsusho, Toyota Tourist, and AK Toyota shared promotional material and destination videos about The Marianas, provided details of a specific tour package to the islands, answered questions, and demonstrated “mwar” (floral garland) making. MVA was joined by approximately 190 other exhibitors at the event and was the only destination allowed to operate a booth at this event exclusive to the Toyota Group.
Direct 3-hour flights to Saipan from Tokyo-Narita are operated three times a week by United Airlines.
The Marianas Visitors Authority, Toyota Tsusho, Toyota Tourist and AK Toyota promote attractions in The Marianas at Toyota Group Thanks Sale on Dec. 7-8, 2024, in Nagoya, Japan. The trade show attracted an estimated 15,000 attendees.
Attendees of the Toyota Group Thanks Sale on Dec. 7 & 8, 2024, in Nagoya, Japan, learn Carolinian “mwar”-making (floral head lei) at The Marianas booth. The Marianas Visitors Authority, Toyota Tsusho, Toyota Tourist and AK Toyota promote attractions in The Marianas at the trade show.
Attendees of the Toyota Group Thanks Sale on Dec. 7 & 8, 2024, in Nagoya, Japan, engage with the Marianas Visitors Authority at The Marianas booth. MVA, Toyota Tsusho, Toyota Tourist and AK Toyota promote attractions in The Marianas at the trade show.
In collaboration with the Marianas Visitors Authority, Toyota Group promotes a special package tour to The Marianas at the Toyota Group Thanks Sale on Dec. 7 & 8, 2024, in Nagoya, Japan. The trade show attracted an estimated 15,000 attendees.
Executive Officer Toshiyuki Azeo of Toyota Tsusho, second left; General Manager and Vice President Clark Boswell of AK Guam and Saipan, third left; Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion, center; General Manager Masanori Shibata of Toyota Tsusho Corp., third right; President Yugo Narita of Aqua Connections; and other executives of Toyota Tsusho and MVA at The Marianas promotional booth at the Toyota Group Thanks Sale on Dec. 7 & 8, 2024, in Nagoya, Japan. The trade show attracted an estimated 15,000 attendees.
