Forum discusses ways to tap potential for Vietnam-Japan tourism links

The event featured the participation of many experts, managers, and business representatives in the tourism sector from both countries.

As part of his address, Vu Nhat Ha, in charge of the investment department of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, highly appreciated the initiative to organise the forum, considering it to be an opportunity for businesses, managers, and partners in the tourism sector of the two countries to meet, exchange, and seek new co-operation opportunities.

Tong Thi Kim Giao, chairwoman of the Vietnam Business Association in Japan (VJBA), said that the tourism industry is not only a bridge connecting cultures, but also serves as a strong driving force to promote sustainable development and international and people-to-people exchanges.

Therefore, the Vietnamese business community based in Japan in general, as well as VJBA member businesses operating in the field of tourism in particular, always strives to find new directions in which to bring value in tourism co-operation between the two nations.

In his speech, Okamoto Hironobu, tourism ambassador of Yachiyo city in Ibaraki Prefecture, put fourth specific suggestions that he believes businesses operating in the Vietnamese tourism industry should pay close attention if they wish to attract Japanese tourists.

According to Hironobu, the nation has given him a positive impression due to its beautiful scenery, friendly people, and delicious food. He said that not only him, but also many of his friends and Japanese acquaintances had a good impression of the country.

Mentioning that the devaluation of the yen may cause Japanese people to reduce their travel abroad, Hironobu noted that because Vietnamese prices are not high when compared to other markets such as the United States and Europe, the number of Japanese tourists coming to Vietnam will not be affected.

He believes that if the Vietnamese tourism sector makes appropriate improvements, then the number of Japanese tourists coming to visit the country will increase in the time ahead.

Bui Thi Kim Phung, representative of the Forum Organizing Board and director of Fuji Travel Company, emphasized that the forum is a meaningful activity launched by member businesses of the Travel Club.

She believes that the delegates' good opinions and speeches at the forum will help to connect Vietnamese and Japanese tourism businesses more effectively.

At the forum, speakers presented additional opinions and reports affirming the richness and diversity of resources and the potential for joint tourism co-operation, thereby opening up greater opportunities to build ties and create unique and attractive tourism products that bring about common benefits to both countries.