Japan talks up its sky tree

BANGKOK, 27 February 2012: Japan National Tourist Organisation updated its new tourism products and services at a networking session held on the sidelines of  Thailand’s international tourism fair 10th last Sunday.

The event attracted 34 tourism business sellers from Japan who showcased their products to  100 Thai travel agents.

Here are presentation highlights:

New products:

• Tokyo Sky Tree: is a broadcast, restaurant and observation tower under construction in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. It should gain an entry into the Guinness Book of Records as the highest tower at 634 metres. The highest viewpoint for visitors will be at 450 m. It is due to open 22 May.

• Universal Studios Japan will open a new zone called Universal Wonderland to replace Land of Oz. It will feature Sesame Street celebrities, Hello Kitty and Peanuts along with 28 attractions on a floor space of 300,000 square metres. The new attraction is scheduled to open 16 March.

Deals & festival:

• Mitsui Outlet park Sapporo Kitahiroshima offers discounts of up to 70% during the Spring Fair festival, 16 to 25 March;

• World Cosplay Summit 2012: is an annual international cosplay event that promotes friendly international exchange through Japanese pop culture. The event is hosted by TV Aichi and held in Nagoya, Japan. Since 2005 the World Cosplay Championship has attracted 17 countries to participate in the show including Thailand.

Last year Japan attracted just 700,000 international tourists a decrease of 4.5% decrease. During the aftermath of the earthquake arrivals slumped 70% but made a recovery by the last quarter. Thailand alone supplied 150,000 visits down from around 300,000 estimated by JNTO for 2011.

Popular destinations in the Thai market are Tokyo and Osaka ,while emerging destinations are Okinawa and visits to the Japan Alps for winter holidays.