As part of New Zealand Paradise Week 2007, a promotional event which I have been helping coordinate that is to take place in Tokyo's upmarket Roppongi Hills from November 16-25, a double-hulled waka was gifted to Japan in a dawn ceremony in the Hokianga on Monday morning. Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor presented the waka on behalf of New Zealand to the Consul General of Japan in a moving blessing ceremony.
Japan is New Zealand's fourth largest market for overseas visitors but numbers have been dropping off due to a higher exchange rate and other holiday options closer to Japan including China. The baby-boomer generation will be a particular focus of the campaign. "They see themselves as being different. They're more active, they're more interested in lifestyle activities rather than just scenic viewing. They're interested in food, wine, spa, lodges, self drives. These are all different elements to the Japanese travel experience and we think that New Zealand has a very good offering in these areas." says Tourism New Zealand's CEO George Hickton. New Zealand Paradise Week 2007 will showcase New Zealand food, wine, fashion, music and the most up-to-date activities for tourists, to freshen New Zealand's image.
No comments:
Post a Comment