Japan to host ASEAN Members

July 29, 2013

Japan National Tourism Organization Singapore

Singapore, 26 July 2013 –　With the support of Japan National Tourism Organization Singapore (JNTO) the Wakayama Prefecture Government of Japan will be hosting the 2nd ASEANTA (ASEAN Tourism Association) Board Members Meeting from 29 July to 1 August 2013. The Board Meeting will take place in Shirahama City, of Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.

JNTO Singapore‘s newly-appointed Executive Director Mr. Hideki Manabe remarks “Japan is proud to be chosen as the destination for the ASEANTA Board Meeting and extends its warm welcome to the 30 Board Members of ASEANTA.

The governor for the host city of Wakayama Prefecture, Mr. Yoshinobu Nisaka, would personally grace the event to welcome our ASEAN visitors. This is evident of the goodwill friendship and exchange Japan has had with members of the Asean countries for the past 40 years”

The President of ASEANTA, Dato Mohd Khalid, will be leading the delegation comprising of thirty members from the ten ASEAN countries. During his term as the president of MATTA, Dato Khalid had endorsed the signing of the MOU between JNTO and MATTA in January 2013 and been actively supporting the promotion of Japan tourism.

Dato Khalid speaking from Kuala Lumpur before his departure for Wakayama, “We are very grateful to the people and the government of Wakayama Prefecture, Japan for having graciously consented to host our meetings in Wakayama.

With the existence of ASEAN-Japan partnership, ASEANTA has also set its sights on further developing and enhancing tourism related services between ASEAN and Japan. There are tremendous potentials, not only in marketing and promoting travel and tourism, but also investment within the ASEAN by investors from Japan. Certainly there is a possibility of exploring joint opportunities in travel and tourism between ASEAN and Japan”

The ASEANTA Board Members meet 4 times a year. This is the second time the members are meeting for 2013.

One of ASEANTA’s objectives is to look at ways to form partnerships and to work closely with industry, public sector and other private businesses within and outside of ASEAN, to promote the ASEAN region as a destination of choice for both leisure and business travelers, thereby benefitting all its members.

2013 also symbolizes the 40th anniversary of the Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation. The highlight of the ASEANTA Board Members’ agenda includes a table top discussion and networking session with key representatives of more than 30 organizations from the local travel trade industry in Wakayama Prefecture.

Apart from the business meetings, the ASEANTA delegation will also be shown round the city for inspection in addition to a spectacular viewing of the annual Fireworks Festival held in Shirahama City of Wakayama.

ASEAN countries to Japan have seen a steady growth in tourist arrival numbers in the first half of 2013. The six ASEAN countries have registered more than half a million during the first half of this year.

Singapore has achieved a 24% increase with 83,200 visitors; while Malaysia has seen a 17% increase with 71,500 visitors. With the low exchange Japanese yen followed by the recent visa waiver for Malaysians and Thais, the climbing trend in tourist arrivals is set to continue.

There is still growth in outbound tourism to Japan for the ASEAN market. Japan is confident that it will achieve the target number of 10 million visitors by the end of 2013.