Tourism EXPO Japan 2025 with a theme of ‘Travel for Discovery and New Encounters’ opened at Aichi Sky Expo in Aichi Prefecture on September 25. The organizers expects that the first Tourism EXPO Japan in Aichi welcomes 100,000 visitors in total for four days.
The tourism exhibition was joined by 45 prefectures in Japan (630 booths), 82 foreign countries and regions (442 booths) and others (392 booths). A total of 6,071 business meetings was pre-arranged by 826 sellers and 703 buyers.
Hiroyuki Takahashi, Chairman of Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), one of the organizers, said, “We hope that the Expo will be an opportunity to spread the new style of travel related to adventure tourism and SDGs, which are becoming popular around the world. We want to use this opportunity to let the world know about a new type of travel that is in line with the new era.”
At the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a video message: “Tourism is a core industry in the regions and a key player in the government’s ‘Regional Revitalization 2.0’ initiative. It is important to spread the economic benefits of strong inbound tourism nationwide, and we believe it is important to encourage people to visit Japan’s rural areas.”
Video message by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of UN Tourism, said that regional tourism is crucial to the health of the tourism industry, diversifying economic opportunities and enriching the visitor experience. She also referred to sustainable tourism, saying that tourism has the important responsibility of protecting the natural environment and culture, and must achieve sustainable development.
Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of UN Tourism
The first Tourism Expo Japan in Aichi
The organizers explained that purposes of the first Tourism Expo Japan in Aichi were delivery of tourism attractions in Chubu and Hokuriku areas, further internationalization of Centrair Airport, support to Hokuriku area devastated by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and enhancement of BtoB partnerships.
Satoru Katsuno, Chairman of Central Japan Economic Federation, said, “This is an opportunity for Chubu and Hokuriku areas to become a new tourist destination following Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Also, this is a chance to expand exchange of people and revitalize local economy.”
Satoru Katsuno, Chairman of Central Japan Economic Federation
Actress Asaka Seto, who was born in Seto City, Aichi, played a role of a special supporter for the Expo.
Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura celebrated the first Expo in Aichi at the welcome reception.
VISIT JAPAN Travel & MICE Mart for the inbound travel market
In parallel with Tourism EXPO Japan, VISIT JAPAN Travel & MICE Mart for the inbound travel market was held by Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) as opportunities to build networks between sellers from Japan and buyers from foreign countries and regions. 270 foreign buyers and 330 Japanese sellers attended the business sessions.
Atsumi Gamou, Chairman of JNTO, “We hope to boost inbound tourism and revitalize local areas by providing many business opportunities.” JNTO organized FAM tours to Chubu and Hokuriku areas, joined by 230 buyers to tourist destinations and 20 buyers to MICE destinations.
VISIT JAPAN Travel & MICE Mart
Ministerial Round Table shares ideas for the future
The 8th TEJ Ministerial Round Table was held with a theme of ‘Driving Regional Transformation- Destination Diversification and Human Resource Development,’ joined by tourism ministers and vice ministers from seven countries and executives from six international tourism organizations.
UN Tourism Urosevic pointed out that the tourism industry has entered to a transformation phase from a recovery phase, as travelers exceeded 1.5 billion worldwide, who generated $2 trillion a year. She added that sustainability and local diversifications were required urgently, and the industry faces challenges in digitalization and resource management.
The Ministerial Round Table shared an idea that tourism is not mere a growth industry, but should be recognized as a method to harmonize local communities and environment and build the resilient and sustainable future.
The 8th TEJ Ministerial Round Table
Kiyofumi Nakajima, Chief Operating Officer, STUDIO GHIBLI, made a keynote speech with a theme of ‘Let’s lose our way, together.’
Hong Kong Tourism Board’s booth featuring blockbuster movie ‘Twilight Warriors.’
Rajasthan of India features traditional crafts.
Aichi Prefecture exhibited three times larger booth than before.
The unique cars exhibited as ‘Drive tourism’ attracted visitors’ attentions.
AloJapan.com