Japanese organizations are promoting their regions at a travel expo in Hong Kong before the Lunar New Year in February.
The event started on Thursday, with travel firms, government organizations and others from across the world joining. From Japan, 17 municipalities and companies are taking part.
At a booth set up by Kumamoto Prefecture, brochures were distributed to show tourist spots and food in the prefecture. Officials gave visitors souvenirs featuring Kumamon, a popular local mascot.
Tokushima Prefecture allows visitors to take photos alongside a panel showing the Iya Kazurabashi bridge, a popular destination in Miyoshi City and another showing the Awa Odori dance.
Travel firms in Hong Kong say bookings for group tours to Japan have been weak due to worsened ties between Japan and China. But they say that hasn’t had a big impact on individual trips to Japan, which are the largest share.
Regular flights linking Hong Kong with Kumamoto and Tokushima have been suspended, mainly because of the effects of unfounded rumors that spread on social media last year. Posts claimed that a major disaster would occur in Japan in the summer.
A Kumamoto official said people in Hong Kong like Kumamon and Kumamoto food, and that the prefecture will proactively promote both. The official also said many people say they want to travel to Japan, suggesting demand is recovering. The official expressed hope for an early resumption of regular flights.
Another official from Tokushima said the western part of the prefecture is a real treasure trove, known for its charms that include culture, nature and food. The official also said they will go all out to raise recognition of the area in order to attract more visitors.
AloJapan.com