Wendy Wu Tours has brought out an expanded standalone Japan brochure for 2018-19 as it doubles departures to the destination next year.
The operator has reported soaring demand for Japan and is warning agents to book for 2018 before expected price rises as a result of the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and 2020 Summer Olympics in the country.
By the end of 2017 the operator will have run 43 departures to Japan this year. This will increase to more than 90 in 2018.
The new brochure – Wendy Wu Tours’ second dedicated to Japan after its first last year – features more group tour capacity from the UK for the ‘cherry blossom’ season than any other operator, according to Japan and China product manager Yaow Butwisate-Lok.
She said: “Hotel capacity can be limited because of Japan’s domestic travel market but as we have delivered the numbers, hoteliers now trust us.”
Also new for 2018 is a shorter all-inclusive trip, the eight-day Week in Japan, from £3,690. Previously, Wendy Wu Tours’ shortest trip was its best-selling 11-day Jewels of Japan.
Two new extensions, both of which can be linked with Japan tours, are a nine-day China Experience and a five-day Classic South Korea trip.
The operator has also renamed ‘Discovery’ tours as ‘Immerse Yourself’ holidays. A new 13-day Trails of Japan, from £5,490, offers a stay at a Buddhist lodge and the chance to meet snow monkeys.
For the launch Wendy Wu Tours has partnered with Air China to offer a business-class upgrade from £99 one way on departures between April and June 2018 booked before August 31, 2017.