Education tourism in city sights

A TRADE mission to Japan this week aims to hammer home Cairns’ credentials as a long-term study and educational tourism destination.

Study Cairns president Carol Doyle is leading a delegation of local education and business operators to Tokyo, Osaka and Cairns sister city Oyama.

“Study Cairns members travelling to Japan are getting a positive feel from those attending with registration numbers for Tokyo and Osaka workshops already double the attendance at our last trade mission to Japan in 2015,” she said.

“Attendees have expressed interest in learning about longterm study options relating to English language, vocational and university studies.

“This is tremendously exciting for Cairns as each student generates over $45,000 in direct benefits per annum to the Cairns economy.”

Japan has been a “powerhouse” market for Cairns education tourism since the 1980s.

Ms Doyle said the 2019 Rugby World Cup, being held in Japan, followed by the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, presented further opportunities for the industry.