Japan’s tourism sector has witnessed massive upsurge in international tourist arrivals in the recent years with inbound tourism growing from over 10 million in 2013 to more than 30 million in 2018. With an aim to replicate the same success from Indian market, JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organisation) in collaboration with International High speed Rail Association (IHRA) and Embassy of Japan in India, conducted a travel seminar “The Shinkansen- Make your way through Japan with a high- speed Train” in New Delhi recently.
Key agents of New Delhi were invited to the event in order to familiarize them with Japan’s tourism offerings and rich cultural heritage and how can travelers explore the country through Japan’s high-speed train, the Shinkansen, network.
According to Masafumi Shukuri, Chairman, IHRA, “The Shinkansen, commonly known as high-speed train, is the safest and the most reliable mode of transport within Japan. The aim of the high-speed train is to shorten the time people spend on traveling from one destination to another. The high-speed train may change the way tourists travel, leaving more time for them to enjoy the destination.”
Also speaking at the event, KenkoSone, Minister, Embassy of Japan said, “India is a key market for Japan. Recently the 3rd Meeting of India-Japan Tourism Council summit was held in India in early January 2019 to improve our relationship with India. We have decided to promote Japan in South India and are planning to start direct flights from Chennai and Bangalore as well to Japan, very soon.”
Mamoru Kobori, Executive Vice- President, JNTO made an extensive presentation on the JNTO website, its navigation and features. He also spoke about The Japan Specialist Program for the travel industry. Also speaking, Akihiko Tamura, Former Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner, said, “The Shinkansen is the most effective mode of transport within Japan as it cuts down the travel time immensely.”
The event was also attended by SumanBilla, Joint Secretary, Minister of Tourism, Government of India. Several other senior officials from Tourism and Urban Planning and Transportation department of India and Japan were also in attendance at the travel seminar.
