Abta has announced that next year’s Travel Convention will be held in Tokyo, Japan.
It will take place at Prince Hotels & Resorts’ Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa from October 7 to October 9, 2019.
The hotel is directly connected to the International Convention Center Pamir.
The Japanese National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), ANA – All Nippon Airways and Prince Hotels & Resorts will be the host partners for the Convention.
The announcement was made in Seville at the end of the 2018 Travel Convention.
Registrations will open early next year, with this year’s delegates able to reserve a place via the Travel Convention website from 9am tomorrow, guaranteeing them the 2018 Early Bird Registration fee and a two-week priority booking period with ANA when flight reservations open.
Mark Tanzer, Abta chief executive, said: “With British holidaymakers showing an increasing interest in visiting Japan, the Convention will provide a great opportunity to show travel professionals all that it has to offer – from its incredible cuisine, beautiful landscapes and traditional architecture to its super speed trains and illuminated sky scrapers.
“This will be the first time we host a Convention in eastern Asia and with a number of exciting events coming up in the next couple of years, now is the perfect time to visit.”
Satoshi Seino, president of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), added: “The number of annual visitors from the UK to Japan has more than doubled since 2011, a testament to the appeal of Japanese culture to British people, as well as the diversity of activities available to tourists and the strength of our tourism infrastructure.
“I hope that Abta delegates will use this as an opportunity to explore the charms of Japan’s regional cities and am confident that your experiences at the convention in Tokyo will advance your success at home.”
Yoshinori Ochi, director of the board and secretary-general of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), said: “I am honoured to meet the UK’s travel industry leaders in person during the Convention. I would like to encourage you to take this opportunity to meet as many Japanese travel industry representatives as time would allow and strengthen your business network in Japan while experiencing Japanese culture, cuisine, nature and hospitality during a time of year which is said to be rivalled only by the cherry blossom season.
“The Convention will be an excellent opportunity for both the UK and Japan to search for and find ways to sustainably increase the number of exchange visitors.”
Yuji Hirako, president and chief executive of ANA – All Nippon Airways, said: “The decision to choose Tokyo for the event is a testament to the ever-growing spotlight shining on Japan, as the nation continues to set trends and prepares to host major sporting events.
“There is no better time to connect with Japanese culture and, as Japan’s largest five star airline, we are looking forward to welcoming the UK’s travel industry leaders to our home – just as we look to create treasured memories for all our guests – and to celebrating the great importance of the UK tourism market to ANA.”
Mr Masahiko Koyama, chief executive of Prince Hotels & Resorts, added: “As a native brand with 43 hotels across Japan, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase our genuine hospitality, culinary prowess and to being an authentic gateway to Tokyo and beyond, especially with the Rugby World Cup also taking place next year and the Olympics in 2020.”