Japan-China tourism exhibition draws 34,000
December 18, 2005China's first ''Visit-Japan'' tourism exposition jointly sponsored by officials from both countries drew 34,000 people in the southern city Hangzhou over the weekend, an organizer said Monday. The mostly Chinese crowd attended a two-day expo cosponsored by the Hangzhou Tourism Committee and the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to see promotions by 35 Japanese travel-related companies such as Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways as well as local Japanese governments.
FEATURE: Wide range of unique examinations given in Japan
December 18, 2005A wide range of extraordinary examinations are given in Japan to promote tourism or to hand down local culture from one generation to the next. Organizations giving tests range from chambers of commerce promoting tourism to a well-known distiller.
H.K. receives record number of tourists in Oct.
December 18, 2005More than 2.14 million tourists visited Hong Kong in October, setting a new record for visitor arrivals in a single month, the Tourism Board said Wednesday. The government-funded organization is responsible for promoting and monitoring tourism development in Hong Kong.
FEATURE: Joruri puppet theatre experiences revival in Tokushima
December 18, 2005The traditional Joruri puppet theatre is making a comeback in Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku Island, where the performing art once flourished, with the reestablishment of village theatres. Since 2001 four forgotten Joruri stages have been recovered and restored in the western Japan prefecture with plans to bring back more next year.
China's tourism head visits Taiwan to boost tourism exchanges
December 18, 2005A large delegation led by China's top tourism official arrived in Taipei on Friday, a move expected to pave the way for opening Taiwan to tourism from the mainland that has been banned since the two political rivals split in 1949 amid a civil war. The 66-member group, including China National Tourism Administration Chairman Shao Qiwei, will stay on the island for 10 days. Shao visits Taiwan in a private capacity as head of the non-official China Tourism Association because China does not want to allow official contact to take place.
China's tourism head expected in Taiwan on Friday
December 18, 2005Taiwan confirmed Wednesday that the head of the China National Tourism Administration will visit Taipei in a private capacity Friday, a move likely to pave the way for the opening of Taiwan to tourism from the mainland that has been banned since the political split in 1949. Mainland Affairs Council chairman Joseph Wu confirmed the planned visit of Shao Qiwei at the head of a large delegation, telling a press conference they will be ''welcomed to enjoy Taiwan's beautiful scenery as well as its open society.''
Thailand offers long-stay packages for Japanese retirees
December 18, 2005A Thai tourism promoter on Tuesday announced long-stay packages initially targeting Japanese retirees starting from 45,000 baht (about $1,125) a month for two people at three-star accommodation. ''If you pay 75,000 baht a month, you can choose to stay in any five-star hotel such as the (Hyatt) Erawan Hotel in Bangkok,'' said Ruamnakorn Tubtimthongchai, chief executive officer of Thai Longstay Management Co., of which the Tourism Authority of Thailand is a major shareholder.
Japan concerned about Bali attacks' impact on travel industry
December 18, 2005Last weekend's bombings on the Indonesian resort island of Bali could seriously affect Japan's travel industry, transport minister Kazuo Kitagawa said Tuesday. ''Bali has been very popular among Japanese tourists,'' the land, infrastructure and transport minister told a press conference. ''The government will take actions in response to various future developments regarding the attacks.''
H.I.S. cancels tours to Bali, Garuda sees many reservations canceled
December 18, 2005Travel agency H.I.S. Co. canceled its group tours Sunday to the Indonesian resort island of Bali in the wake of Saturday's bomb blasts which killed several dozen people, including a Japanese national believed to be one of its customers, the company said. Indonesian airline Garuda Indonesia said it has received cancellations for about 200 seat reservations on Sunday's flights from Japan to Bali. It operates flights connecting Bali with Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.
H.I.S. cancels tours to Bali, Garuda sees many reservations canceled
December 18, 2005Travel agency H.I.S. Co. canceled its group tours Sunday to the Indonesian resort island of Bali in the wake of Saturday's bomb blasts which killed several dozen people, including a Japanese national believed to be one of its customers, the company said. Indonesian airline Garuda Indonesia said it has received cancellations for about 200 seat reservations on Sunday's flights from Japan to Bali. It operates flights connecting Bali with Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.