🇯🇵 Japan
‘Deeply Discover America’ Seminars in Tokyo
In February, Brand USA Japan co-organized a trade seminar titled ‘Deeply Discover America’ Seminars” with JATA (Japan Association of Travel Agents) from February 17- 20. This 4-day seminar targeted tour operators and travel agents in order to encourage them to develop new tour products featuring beyond-gateway destinations.
Despite concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, a total of 110 tour operators/travel agents participated in the seminar. Brand USA Japan reached out to all US in-market DMOs and as they all participated, this shows the positive value such seminars have for DMOs. The participating DMOs are: California, Colorado, Guam, Illinois, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Massachusetts, Mississippi River Country, Memphis, Montana, Nevada, NYC, Northern Marianas, Oregon, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tualatin Valley, and Virginia.
In conjunction with this 4-day trade seminar, Brand USA also worked closely with Visit USA Committee to organize travel trade workshop and reception on February 21st at Tokyo GINZA Marriott Hotel. 29 VUSA members participated in the workshop to conduct one-on-one appointment sessions and a total of 87 tour operators/travel agents joined the Visit USA workshop. The following VUSA members participated in the workshop: U.S. Travel Association, Alamo, Budget Car Rental, American Airlines, Illinois, Colorado, Delta Air Lines, Disney Destination International, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami Beach (Nobu Hotel/Eden Roc), Montana, New York, Nevada, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle, United Airlines, Virginia and Hertz Car Rental.
During the reception, Mr. Tadashi Shimura – President of Japan Association of Travel Agents delivered welcome remarks, encouraging participating trade partners to continue to strive together to overcome the tough time affected by the coronavirus outbreak, and make a great impact on outbound visitation to the U.S. moving forward.