(MVA) — At the invitation of the Marianas Visitors Authority, Japan’s largest travel agency — JTB Group — visited the destination last week to explore tourism business development opportunities.
The JTB-MVA Tourism Business Development Conference was held in Saipan on Thursday Aug. 21, with both parties providing situational updates, discussing challenges, and exploring ideas for product development and public-private partnerships.
“We were very pleased to welcome the JTB Group to The Marianas last week for preliminary discussions on moving forward together in reviving the Japan tourism market. Their visit is a very positive step forward,” said MVA Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron. “JTB has been a long-time and valuable partner for the local tourism industry. We look forward to continued discussions and the support of other Marianas public and private stakeholders as we work toward rebuilding this partnership.”
JTB Corp. is one of the largest travel agencies in the world. The conference was attended by 11 representatives of JTB, including directors and section general managers, and two representatives of Tasi Tours.
“Last week’s conference — and the group’s site inspections and other activities — is a positive outcome of the Marianas Revival Project launched by the MVA this year with the goal of rebuilding relationships of tourism, business, and community with Japan,” said MVA Marketing Manager Thomas Kim. “The visit by JTB management was very productive. We anticipate they will consider carefully what they’ve seen and how it may fit into their future business plans, and they have departed knowing that The Marianas warmly welcomes an expanded partnership.”
United Airlines provides direct flights from Tokyo-Narita to Saipan three times a week. Last week’s conference was aimed at building demand for the destination toward achieving the goal of increasing flights.
While in Saipan, the group toured World II sites and other locales in Tinian, as well as Managaha, Marpi, Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture, American Memorial Park, and other sites in Saipan. Participants also sailed on a canoe with 500 Sails and took a buggy tour with Marianas Trekking.
AloJapan.com