ATEC launches program for WA tourism operators hosting Japanese visitors

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) together with Tourism WA and endorsed by Western Australian AHA have launched a five-module program developed in partnership with leading Japanese travel wholesalers.

More than 60 tourism operators from across Western Australia will take part in a 2-hour interactive workshop providing an overview of the Japanese inbound market and the opportunity it presents for the Western Australian tourism industry. They will then self-assess their businesses and define a tailored pathway to help them get ready for Japanese visitors, understand their expectations and how to engage the Japan travel trade to establish themselves in the market.

With the launch of ANA’s direct flights from Perth to Tokyo last month, West Australian tourism operators now have a 'MasterPath' to success in the Japanese market with the launch of the inaugural Japan Host export program this week.

ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley advised “ANA’s new direct flights to Perth are expected to bring more than 75,000 new visitors and $175 million to the WA economy so it's important local tourism operators are prepared to make the most of this opportunity.

“The Japan Host program will give tourism operators across WA the opportunity to assess their current business model and adjust it to meet the needs of the Japanese visitor through a high quality, export focused program developed by experts in the field.”

Western Australian Tourism Minister Paul Papalia added that the state government was focused on making Western Australia the nation’s western gateway for international tourists and growing visitor numbers, advsising “in the year ending March 2019, WA had 29,000 visitors from Japan who spent $58 million while here.

“This makes Japan our 10th largest international market by both visitor numbers and spend.

“The ANA direct flights now make it so much easier to travel between Tokyo and Perth and will be a very attractive prospect for Japanese tourists, and programs such as this one will help tourism operators make the most of this opportunity.

“WA offers everything Japanese tourists are looking for in a holiday destination – good food, wine, local cuisine and produce, as well as world-class coastlines, nature and wildlife.”

Image show attendees at the session.