The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Dubai office, alongside the Embassy of Japan in Kuwait, showcased a Japan booth at the inaugural Tourista Expo 2024. Held at Assima Mall, Kuwait, from 21 to 22 June, the event offered a platform for travel agencies, airlines, and other tourism-related entities to present their offerings to the public.
Japan stood out as the sole country with a dedicated booth, reflecting a growing Kuwaiti interest in Japan as a travel destination. The booth featured pamphlets and information on Japan’s tourist attractions, details on the upcoming EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and visa application consultations.
A networking event hosted by the Embassy of Japan allowed for meaningful exchanges between Kuwaiti travel agencies and Japanese representatives, fostering potential collaborations.
Throughout the two-day event, the Japan booth attracted numerous visitors keen to learn about Japanese culture and tourism. Over 100 individuals specifically interested in visiting Japan sought consultations, marking the event as a significant success.
Mr. Kobayashi Daisuke, Executive Director of JNTO Dubai office, expressed his delight:
“It was our utmost pleasure to meet many enthusiastic people who are interested in visiting Japan at our booth at Tourista Expo 2024 and to promote our unique tourism offerings of Japan face-to-face. The number of Kuwaiti nationals visiting Japan in 2023 increased by 44.0% compared to 2019 before the pandemic, reaffirming Japan’s appeal as a sought-after destination among Kuwaitis. The resumption and increase of direct flights from the GCC region to Japan have played a pivotal role in facilitating this growth. Notable examples include the launch of Doha-Tokyo Haneda direct daily flights by Japan Airlines in March 2024.”
The growing trend of visitors from GCC countries to Japan, which surged by 15.1 percent in early 2024, highlights the region’s increasing interest in Japan’s diverse attractions, rich nature, exquisite food, vibrant culture, and deep history.
