TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Aggregate monthly sales of overseas package tours achieved by major operators were down 13.2 percent in April from last year but up 3.8 percent and 46.8 percent in May and June respectively, according to a research made by Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA). The growth in June was particularly noticeable on the rebound from the previous year’s severe slump caused by the outbreak of new strain of flu, and some destinations saw an extraordinary growth as is exemplified by North America’s 195.4 percent.

By destination, Hawaii, Kong Kong/Macau, and China exhibited a growth for three months running. Taiwan showed a two-digit growth in May and June after a 5.4 percent dip in April. Europe sustained a fall of 20 percent in April due to the Icelandic volcanic eruption but recovered to a growth of 1.5 percent and 40.5 percent in the following months.

In the outlook of booking status for July through September, September looks dismal with negative performance of 18.6 percent in deficiency of a long holiday week of the previous year, but July and August are in good form with a gain of 1.7 percent and 15.1 percent respectively. Hawaii, in particular, shows good performance in each of the three months, surpassing the status a year earlier. To take a look at the limited period of summer vacation from July to August, it is noteworthy that North America makes a jump of 112.3 percent in growth for July and 62.2 percent for August; likewise, Oceania sees a gain of 36.6 percent for July and 51.8 percent for August.

Thailand, on the other hand, where political riots happened in Bangkok, is suffering severe setback in July-September bookings as well as the April-June track records.

Note:
JATA’s above research was made with JTB, Kinki Nippon Tourist, Nippon Travel Agency, Hankyu Travel International, JALPAK, ANA Sales, and H.I.S. Be advised that ANA Sales does not operate package tours to Guam/Saipan and Oceania; therefore, they are not counted in.

Source: Travel Vision

Travel Vision Inc. provides information on the travel industry in Japan via "Daily Travel Vision", a Japanese-language e-mail newsletter, and the "Travel Vision" website. There are nearly 110,000 people working in the Japanese travel industry, and Travel Vision is proud to be bringing travel news to more than 30,000 people through Daily Travel Vision.

Delta Air Lines, as part of its sales campaign for summer, has produced “Uchiwa” paper fans to extol its route network and stated distributing them to travel agencies. It began in 2009 and this summer sees the airline’s second distribution of “Uchiwa.” Masaki Ito, Director of Sales, Japan at Delta Air Lines, Inc. said, “It helps enhance communication with travel agencies as much as it helps extol our route network.” The response has been quite favorable among the travel agencies. In 2009, the airline distributed “Uchiwa” fans to 300 locations of travel agencies in Tokyo alone and 500 nationwide. This summer, Delta expects to increase the distribution by 50 percent targeting 750 travel agency locations.

At Delta Air Lines, some 50 staff from its Japan offices make a walk-in sales call in pairs to travel agencies, distributing a set of 20 “Uchiwa” fans and the stand. During the walk-in sales visit, Delta staff collect information on the agency sales strategy and requests they may have to the airline. The feedback should help the airline improve its future sales activities, said Ito. Every “Uchiwa” shows the airline logo together with pictures of its six destinations that include Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, Seattle, Prince Edward Island and Portland. By extolling Delta Air Lines’ route network and destinations through travel agencies, as Ito said, the airline expects its flight reservations to kick off well from the end of July onward

JTB Tokyo Metropolitan Corp., Nipponbashi Branch, visited by Ito, commented, “We see Delta’s enthusiasm and we appreciate his personal visit,” adding, “It indeed helps foster communication with the airline.” Delta Air Lines intends to continue the sales campaign also next year and beyond in efforts to further boost sales in concert with the travel agencies.

Source: Travel Vision

Travel Vision Inc. provides information on the travel industry in Japan via "Daily Travel Vision", a Japanese-language e-mail newsletter, and the "Travel Vision" website. There are nearly 110,000 people working in the Japanese travel industry, and Travel Vision is proud to be bringing travel news to more than 30,000 people through Daily Travel Vision.

All Nippon Airways and JTB will jointly launch four charter flights to Canada from the end of September to the beginning of October, attracting travel demand for Canada’s autumn season. The airline is said to be finalizing the charter flight plan including take-off and landing slots at the respective airports. The charter flights are slated for departure and arrival from and to Chubu International Airport and Kansai International Airport. Those from and to Oita Airport and Nagasaki Airport will be routed via Narita International Airport.

Aircraft to be put into service is Boeing B747-400 configured with 10 First class, 75 Business class, 20 Premium Economy and 182 Economy class seats, totaling 287. ANA and JTB expect all four charter flights to be booked up. Departure dates are planned on September 20, 26, October 2 and 8 with an 8-day travel itinerary. Those departing from Oita and Kansai are scheduled to arrive in Toronto and return from Montreal, whilst those departing from Chubu and Nagasaki are scheduled to arrive in Montreal and return from Toronto.

Source: Travel Vision

Travel Vision Inc. provides information on the travel industry in Japan via "Daily Travel Vision", a Japanese-language e-mail newsletter, and the "Travel Vision" website. There are nearly 110,000 people working in the Japanese travel industry, and Travel Vision is proud to be bringing travel news to more than 30,000 people through Daily Travel Vision.