Japan to bolster presence

In an attempt to garner more Indian tourists and promote the destination, Japan is increasing its presence in India with a new tourism office to be launched in New Delhi by the end of the year.

The inaugural India-Japan Tourism Meet was organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi from October 24-25 in New Delhi. Kuniharu Ebina, Senior Vice Commissioner, Japan Tourism Agency, was present at the two-day event, held to encourage bilateral relations and explore opportunities through tourism between the countries. Welcoming the delegates Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Immediate Past President-FICCI, Chairperson-FICCI Tourism Committee, said, “Japan is the 10th largest source market for India with around 2.07 lakh Japanese arrivals in 2015. India has a very high potential to be one of the favoured destinations amongst the Japanese tourists, given the large number of destinations important from Buddhist interest as well as the burgeoning number of business tourists coming to India.”

Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister (I/C) of Tourism and Culture, Govt. of India, inaugurated the conclave where he drew focus to the similarities between the two countries that can be traced back to the sixth century when Buddhism was introduced in Japan. He further encouraged Japan to explore opportunities in the hospitality sector for investment and assured them of Indian government’s support.

H.E. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India, addressed the gathering on the prevailing tourism scenario to and from both countries and observed that mutual tourism has not been as good as it should be, given the abundant tourism products. While Japan welcomed over 100,000 Indians in 2015, the same year saw 1.13 million Indians visit the U.S, he indicated. “The new networks that will be built among the participants today will create new opportunities,” he added.