Relax - Japan tourism board offers 1-for-1 deals at Natas fair

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SINGAPORE - The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) has a slew of one-for-one deals lined up for Singaporeans at the upcoming Natas Fair this weekend.

It has increased its budget by 5 per cent - the biggest marketing effort at the travel fair since 2006 - to attract visitors to the quake-hit country.

JNTO said travellers had regained confidence and many had made trips after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami last year, but it seems visitor numbers are still not back to pre-quake numbers.

The Straits Times reported that 9,000 visitors went to Japan last month, 34 shy of the number recorded in January 2011 before the earthquake and tsunami struck.

Visitor numbers from Singapore fell by 38.5 per cent to 111,300 in 2011 - from a record high of 180,000 in 2010.

To strengthen its impact at the Natas Fair, JNTO has roped in sponsors such as Changi Airport Group, which is contributing more than $150,000 to JNTO's one-for-one travel deals.

JNTO is also bringing in 13 other partners including travel experts from various prefectures such as representatives from Gifu prefecture, who will unveil a new discount pass for self-driver holidays around the scenic region, said the report.

Visitors will also be able to sample Japanese food, including sake and premium Hida beef from the prefecture.

The three-day event, organised by the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, begins on Friday at the Singapore Expo.

With 158 exhibitors, the fair is expected to draw some 65,000 visitors and generate sales of about $90 million.

Opening hours are from 10am-9.30pm from Feb 24-26. Admission fee is $4 for those above 12 years old.

maryanns@sph.com.sg

Japan tourism board offers 1-for-1 deals at Natas fair

AsiaOne | Wed, Feb 22 2012

It has increased its budget by 5 per cent in an effort to attract visitors to the quake-hit country.

Japan tourism board offers 1-for-1 deals at Natas fair

Keywords

northeast asia
japan
art & culture