Amin Abbas

DUBAI: The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) participated at Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) from May 6 to 9, which attracted more than 46,000 people, to showcase Japan’s beauty in order to promote tourism. 

As the world transitions from Expo 2020 Dubai to Expo 2025 Osaka, JNTO was eager to seize the opportunity to highlight Japan’s unique cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and diverse experiences in the Middle Eastern market.

The travel market’s recent edition marked a 15% year-on-year increase in attendees in comparison to its previous edition. 

“We saw a significant increase of visitors to our booth at ATM 2024, as well as a big interest of GCC nationals to Japan, reflecting a growing appetite for exploration and discovery of the country,” a representative from JNTO’s Dubai office told Arab News Japan. 

The booth hosted 14 co-exhibitors this year. The increased participation, from 9 in 2023, highlights the growing interest and collaboration between Japanese tourism stakeholders and their counterparts in the Middle East.

GCC nationals travelling to Japan increased by 33,212 visitors in 2023, a notable 401.3% increase in comparison to 2022 and a 17.7% increase in comparison to 2019. 

Additionally, various airlines, such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, have increased their flight frequencies and launched new routes, making Japan more accessible for Middle Eastern travelers. Japan Airlines has also launched a direct flight to Qatar from Tokyo-Haneda, offering unparalleled Japanese-style customer service.

“The popularity of Japan is growing, and we had so many visitors at the ‘Visit Japan’ stand. Many travel agents are looking for Destination Management Companies (DMCs) to organize the tours for their clients to have memorable trips in Japan, and we hope they have met them at the Visit Japan stand at the ATM,” the representative shared. 

About the feedback of the visitors who came to the ‘Visit Japan’ booth at ATM 2024, Kobayashi said, “Many visitors were excited to know more about Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, which will be held from April 13 until Oct. 13. They were also interested in extending their stays and we offered advice according to their interests.”