JATA Tourism EXPO Japan 2016 at Tokyo Big Sight
Japan Tourism Association and Japan Assoc. of Travel Agents (JATA) had hitherto each promoted tourist fairs "Tabi Fair" and JATA Travel Fair", respectively, and this year they joined force to co-sponsor a fresh version of tourist fair titled "JATA Tourism EXPO Japan 2016" on September 22-25. The event was opened exclusively for the Press on September 35 and 26.
The exposition is a global affair actively participated by overseas government tourist agencies side by side with local municipal tourist agents, airliners, etc.
A leading worldwide comprehensive tourism event, the exposition featured a tourist symposium/panel discussion with an audience of over 500. Keynote speeches were delivered by Dr. Taleb Rifal, Secretary-General, UNWTO, and Mr.David Scowsill, President & CED, WTTC.
A 90-Minute panel discussion was moderated by Prof. Yoshiaki Hompo, Specially-appointed Prof. of Tokyo Metropolitan Univ. and Tokyo Institute of Technology, Advisor to Japan Tourism Agency. Five panelists discussed on the theme "New Opportunities for Sustainable Destinatinsn- Japan and the World - Dr. Taileb Rifal, Mr. David Scowsill, Mr. Hiroshi Tagawa, Chairman, JATA, Vice Chairman, WTTC, Mr. Christian Mantel, General Manager, Atout France, and Mr. Vilay Poonoosamy, VIP, International & Public Affairs, Etihand Airways.
The event, charmingly captioned "Travel Changes Life and the World", illustrates Japanese and international tourist scenes on three stages. The presentation by the Bhutan Tourist Agency is unique with fascinating "Pig Dance (Cham)" and "Asura(Clown)". A special mailbox is installed by the booth accepting Bhutanese postcards guaranteed to bear the official Bhutanese postal stamp when delivered.
Nepal is represented by the presentation of Nepal Tourism Board featuring Nepali Cultural Dance Show; Indonesia offering "Wonderful Indonesia culture Performance".
Taiwan brought a fascinating original dance troupe; so did Bolivia an exquisite Bolivian folklore.
Meanwhile, the quake-stricken Kumamoto Prefecture took part in the exposition with an ambitious PR stage of its own with Kumamoto's friendly mascot figure "Kumamon".
(Nathan Shiga)
