Arab News Japan

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Dubai office participated in an event in Bahrain under the title ‘Half a Year to Go EXPO2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan’ on Oct. 13.

This event marked the six-month countdown to the highly anticipated EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which will be held from April 13 to Oct. 13, 2025, in Japan.

The Embassy of Japan in Bahrain hosted the even which began with remarks by OKAI Asako, the Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Bahrain followed by a presentation on the Expo by the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau.

The gathering was designed to engage travel agencies, businesses, government representatives and other key stakeholders in Bahrain, providing insights into the Expo and the upcoming Bahrain Pavilion.

JNTO Dubai office provided valuable information about Japan, focusing on first-time visitors and promoting Japan’s diverse tourism attractions, particularly in the Kansai region, the host area of the Expo. This initiative was aimed at encouraging more Bahrainis to visit Japan in conjunction with the upcoming Expo.

JNTO Dubai’s Executive Director KOBAYASHI Daisuke said: “Through this event, I strongly felt that Japan is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for travelers in Bahrain.”

“With Japan Airlines having launched direct daily flights from the region this year, and the rapid expansion of air routes between GCC countries and Japan,” he added, “The number of visitors from the GCC has continued to grow, with a 55.6% increase in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year”

More than 100 participants attended the event, which served as an opportunity for Bahrain’s travel industry to learn more about the upcoming expo and Japan’s tourism offerings.