Japan Travel Trade Weekly News
Keeping you abreast of what's going on in the
Japanese travel and tourism industries.
News consolidated by Travel Vision, Inc. updated every week.
JTB to Set Up Joint Company in Vietnam for Starting Operation in May
to Expand Business in Indochina
Late-April 2008
JTB Pte. Ltd. (or JTB Asia) of JTB Group is going to set up a
joint company with T&T Co. in Vietnam as part of its global
strategy, and the new company, named JTB-TNT Co., undertakes travel
business in Indochina as well as in Vietnam.
JTB formed partnership with T&T three years ago and now makes
this joint venture company one of the bases of international
operation as it views Vietnam as a potential market of big growth
for consumer goods and travel, backed up by economic expansion and a
rise of income level.
JTB-TNT aims to increase the handling of incoming travelers one
and a half times more to 73,000 in 2012 than the number JTB is
currently sending to Vietnam. The company is supposed to become a
base of inbound business to Indochina covering Cambodia, Laos,
Myanmar, as well as Vietnam.
Besides, T&T agrees to transfer to the new company its inbound
business in the hope of generating more business from Europe and
Russia. JTB's other overseas centers will support JTB-TNT by feeding
customers. The venture company will also take over air ticket sales
from T&T and succeed its accounts of international enterprises while
making access to Japanese firms there leveraging the JTB brand name.
Establishment of the new company is scheduled for the middle of
April with operation starting in May. Yasuhiro Hasegawa becomes the
president. Total workforce will be 125 including seven Japanese
staff.
Singapore Airlines Introducing A380 to Tokyo from May 20, 2008
Late-April 2008
Singapore Airlines, in preparation for the inaugural A380 flight
into Japan on May20, 2008, unveiled its mock-up cabin to the media as
a preview in advance of the public release.
Philip Goh, General Manager for Japan, Singapore Airlines
Limited, said, "We are pleased to be able to introduce A380 to Narita
Airport on the day commemorating the 30th anniversary of its opening.
The selection of Tokyo as the A380's first Asian city highlights
Singapore Airlines' commitment to the Japanese market," and explained
that it was a major decision for Singapore Airlines.
"A possible destination for an additional A380 would be a city
with sizable market where slots are constrained such as London, and
Hong Kong also comes into view," according to Goh.
Based on his remarks, Tokyo's Narita could be one of such
destinations, however, a key factor is the number of economy class
seats on A380 which amounts to 399, an increase of 25% as compared to
Boeing 747. It is going to be a challenge for the airline in Japan.
"Countermeasures may differ depending on peak and off-peak period.
Anyway, it will be resolved with our marketing efforts," continued
Goh.
Citing Sydney and London where A380 commenced service early on,
he introduced that high marks have been received from respective
market and travel industry. "When you gain their support, seat-load
factor will rise," said Goh.
The flight suspension on KIX route announced recently may be
attributable to excessive discounting practice in the market. The
increase on the number of economy class seats on A380 may pose a
similar concern. "The market in Japan is expanding to reach 20
million level. There will be only one Singapore Airlines A380 flight
daily out of Narita but we are hoping to be able to play a role in
boosting demand," he told the press.
Singapore Airlines will be promoting the 40th anniversary of its
service to Japan with special commemorative campaigns and special
fares, etc.
For Singapore Airlines Suite, a new first class product, termed
"A Class beyond First," a fare level 15% higher than the normal first
class fare is charged on the existing routes, and Goh would like to
follow suit in Japan as well, who is going to submit a fare
application for approval to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism.
Air Mauritius Strives to Enhance Market Presence in Japan; New
Shanghai Service Expands Capacity Offer
Late-April 2008
On the occasion of a recent visit by Elizabeth Roldan, Manager,
North East Asia of Air Mauritius, has indicated its intention to
enhance its market presence in Japan, focusing on Tokyo and Osaka and
to increase the number of customers through Air System Inc., which is
newly appointed as a general sales agent for Japan as from February
1, this year.
The airline will in due course join forces especially, with
hotels and land operators to encourage travel agents to create
package tours featuring Mauritius. The number of Japanese arrivals in
Mauritius was not more than 2000 in 2007, but, in terms of
percentage, increased by 2.1% compared to the previous year.
Roldan said, "In the future, the airline hopes to introduce
direct service to Japan." At the same time, she unveiled, although
the schedule is not finalized, that the airline will inaugurate new
service to Shanghai, China. The onward connecting flight to Mauritius
at Hong Kong, well accepted in the Japanese market, enjoys a high
seat load factor of 92%.
The new flight from Shanghai will no doubt increase the seat
supply to Mauritius. Air Mauritius intends to steadily boost the
traffic from Japan in an effort to inaugurate direct service between
Japan and Mauritius in the future.
Yasunobu Tada, President of Air System, a GSA for Air Mauritius
in Japan, revealed, "Actress Norika Fujiwara has visited Mauritius on
her honeymoon." "Mauritius is like a hide-away, a resort off the
beaten track. The airline would like to develop Mauritius as a
first-class resort, appealing to the well experienced travelers, let
alone as the honeymoon destination, "added CEO Tada.
Currently, Cathay Pacific Airways provides the same day
connection to Air Mauritius at Hong Kong from Tokyo, Nagoya and
Osaka. Although the connecting flights are also available at Kuala
Lumpur and Singapore, the connecting time is long at both airports.
CEO Tada will, therefore, "encourage the head office of the airline
to improve the connection at Kuala Lumpur" in an effort to further
enhance the connections from Japan.
The GSA anticipates extending beyond traffic from Mauritius to
the Reunion Island, a volcanic island with peaks of more than 3000m
and also to Madagascar, one hour and 30 minutes from Mauritius and
other destinations which have not yet been frequently visited by
Japanese travelers. The airline is also eyeing Johannesburg and Cape
Town as its new destinations beyond Mauritius.
By July this year, Air Mauritius plans to introduce aircraft
retrofitted with full-flat Business class seats on its Hong Kong/
Mauritius route. The ongoing customer service includes the
presentation of its model airplane to honeymoon passengers for
lasting-memories of a honeymoon flight. The airline will, thus,
endeavor to continue to enhance the customer service.
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