Visitors were introduced to the exciting and colorful Japanese matsuri at the 18th Travel Tour Expo at the SMX Convention Center last February 18, 19 and 20.
The Embassy of Japan booth which was inspired by the Bon Odori , a popular summer festival in Japan, welcomed guests with fun activities like yukata (summer kimono) dress-up, Japan quiz courtesy of Japan Airlines, origami workshop and photo opportunity with Anime Ambassador Doraemon and cosplayers. The booth is also equipped with three full high definition LED TVs that showed videos on Japanese traditional and pop culture.
Another highlight of the booth is the Japanese food exhibit, which featured realistic sample food displays alongside with real authentic Japanese food such as gyudon (Japanese beef bowl) and wagashi (Traditional Japanese sweet).
Lively yosakoi dancers also performed onstage with Doraemon dancing to the energetic beat of Japanese folk songs. Guests were also invited to dance onstage with the dancers.
The Embassy of Japan booth was awarded by the Philippine Travel Agencies association second place for best marketing efforts in the international pavilion during the recently concluded 18th Travel Tour Expo.
Japan Tourism: The Japanese government has positioned tourism as a major economic growth area and implemented various measures to encourage foreign tourists to visit Japan. In this context, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines participated for the first time in the Travel Tour Expo. Together with the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and Japanese Travel Agencies, the Embassy of Japan provided opportunities for Philippine visitors to get to know Japan better as a tourist destination.
The Japan Tourism Agency has carried out measures for the Visit Japan Project to ensure the delivery of Japan 's attractions to countries overseas with the projected aim of raising the number of foreign tourists to 10 million in 2010. In addition, and as a medium-to long-term target, it is aiming at 20 million tourists in 2016 and 25 million in 2019. We are now working to enhance our momentum to accept foreign tourists all over Japan.
Make Japan your next tourist destination. For information, please visit: www.visitjapan.jp/
