Welcome to the August 2023 Edition of the Japan Travel Trade Newsletter!
This month, I'd like to kick off with a personal message and some big news: It is time for me to wish you all farewell (in a way). After nearly 8 years with JNTO, I'll be taking up a new challenge in my career and moving on to a different role in the industry.
I've had the great privilege to meet many of you over the years, at our events or other industry functions, and speak to many more of you via email. Those of you who have met me know that my passion for Japan runs incredibly deep, so although I'm switching gears a bit I will always advocate for the country that is a part of my heritage and will be cheering on Japan's growth in popularity from the sidelines.
If you've met me, you also know that my passion for Japan is truly aligned with one of JNTO's missions: To spread awareness of (and tourism spend in) regional destinations, not only the well-known popular cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto. Don't misunderstand me; I do have great love for these well-known cities as well - after all, every trip I've taken to Japan since I was young has included Osaka, where my family is from, and I lived in Kyoto and have family in Tokyo, too. I absolutely understand the huge appeal to these places and very much want travellers to experience them for themselves, especially as they are ever-changing, with new hotels and new experiences opening up constantly.
But Japan also has so much more to offer beyond these introductory gateways and there is so much depth to explore throughout the country; there is a reason that our tagline is 'Japan. Endless Discovery.' It's my deepest wish that as you all continue to send your clients to Japan, especially for repeat visits, that you will send them into the smaller cities and country towns, introduce them to the tea fields of Shizuoka and the mountains of Nagano and beaches of Okinawa... and all of the other incredible places around the country.
Thank you, all of you, for your incredible support of Japan over the years - whether you have been selling Japan since before I joined JNTO or it's a relatively new destination for you. If you are reading this newsletter, it means you and your clients are interested in Japan, and for that I am so grateful.
I will likely cross paths with many of you in the future, and when we meet, I hope that you will be able to tell me about a new destination in Japan that you've discovered, or about how much growth you've seen in demand for Japan.
Until then, do know that JNTO is still here to support you. Once a new business development manager has been appointed, they will introduce themselves through this newsletter; until then, you can reach our team at tradeau@jnto.go.jp. My email address will be closed soon, without a redirect, so please be sure to save the TradeAU address.
I wish you all continued success - and once again, thank you for all of your support.
Warmest regards,
Sally
Sally Miles
Business Development & Marketing Manager
Japan National Tourism Organization Sydney Office
