Japanese travel executives wowed at NZ tourism experiences

A delegation of travel Executives from Japan, including KNT, NTA, Hankyu, Nokyo Tourist and World Air Sea Service and the President and CEO of JTB Corporation, Japan's largest travel agency, enjoyed outstanding tourism experiences in Auckland, Northland, Waitomo and the highly anticipated All Blacks versus Japan rugby game in Hamilton over the weekend.

The group was hosted by Air New Zealand, with the visit also supported by Tourism New Zealand, THL and the New Zealand Maori Tourism. This visit is one of a range of initiatives helping to rebuild New Zealand's holiday destination profile in Japan. Other initiatives include the September issue of Switch magazine that features 32 engaging pages about New Zealand including an eight page magazine insert, a dedicated email monthly travel magazine on New Zealand from JTB distributed to 400,000 customers and a spring pure you campaign using digital and newspaper advertising.

Tourism New Zealand Regional Manager Japan & Korea Nick Mudge says this visit leverages the opportunity that the Rugby World Cup 2011 offers to rebuild New Zealand's holiday destination profile in Japan to both rugby and non-rugby followers.

"Having several executives from top Japan travel agents in New Zealand sends a really strong message to customers and their staff that New Zealand is open for business and that New Zealand offers a range of experiences that are of great interest to Japanese customers."

• For more information on the Japan market