Wendy Wu Tours’ new 2024-2025 Japan brochure is available now.

The edition has a choice of 14 different tours in Japan plus tours operated by the company to neighbouring destinations Taiwan and South Korea.

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is developing a new e-learning programme for the trade, the audience at the Japan roadshow event in Auckland heard last week.

Sally Miles, business development and marketing manager JNTO Sydney Office, says the existing programme closed earlier this year.

Trafalgar, Contiki and Luxury Gold have seen increased demand from New Zealanders looking to travel to Japan following further relaxation of rules and travel restrictions there.

Contiki’s itineraries range from a week-long adventure visiting the country’s largest cities on a whirlwind journey with the Japan In A Week tour to the Japan Unrivalled tour, a 13-day itinerary visiting Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka and Kyoto, along with a stay in a traditional Buddhist guesthouse.

Wendy Wu Tours will be one of the first companies with tour groups allowed back into Japan.

Wendy Wu, founder of Wendy Wu Tours says that with passengers unable to travel to Japan for so long, people have missed out on the Japan spring cherry blossom festival and the autumn foliage colours.

A whole new portfolio, the largest expansion of product in Wendy Wu Tours’ history, is an enduring and positive result of the Covid pandemic, the company’s founder says,

‘Of course Covid was devastating for us and for the whole industry,’ says founder Wendy Wu. ‘However, out of the ashes of that we have expanded into places like Scotland, Portugal, Jordan, Egypt, Israel and central Asia. In the past we have always added a destination at a time.’

The Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organisation has put together an Introduction to Kyushu webinar.

Agents can familiarise themselves with some of the key destinations across the region – from the volcanic peaks of Mt Aso and Sakurajima to the seven bubbling hot spring ‘hells’ of Beppu. The webinar also provides key information on how best to access Kyushu from gateway cities of Osaka and Tokyo, and outlines some recommended itineraries to help sell the destination.

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will launch its 2021 virtual roadshow in November.

It will consist of two virtual events, connecting agents and wholesalers with local suppliers to better equip them with the tools to sell Japan, once international travel resumes.

Wendy Wu Tours has a new 2022-23 Japan interactive digital brochure, also featuring Taiwan and South Korea.

It features the operator’s range of fully inclusive group tours including its Classic range covering the essential highlights of Japan as well specialised itineraries. Also featured are immersive Go Beyond tours and dedicated solo departures on popular itineraries with additional inclusions such as free chauffeur transfers and airport lounge passes (selected cities).

Travel agents and brokers have the opportunity to learn about Oita, the ‘hottest place’ in Kyushu, Japan, this month. They also have the chance to win a wide variety of prizes, such as traditional pottery, gift cards and more.

On 17 February, JTB will take agents on an hour long ‘webinar adventure’ to Oita and show them a different Japan to the one they know already.

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has a new portal showcasing content that inspires travel to the country’s off-the-beaten-path destinations.

The hashtag #stayhomewithjapan encourages people to ‘look beyond the clouds’ and share personal links with Japan found in everyday life, and keep Japan at front of mind for when travel begins anew.