Singapore Airlines signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

Singapore, 2013-12-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) have signed their first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting tourist arrivals into Japan from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. This is in line with SIA’s commitment to continue to develop air travel to Japan.

SIA started flying to Japan in 1968, beginning with Tokyo, and expanding to Osaka in 1972, Fukuoka in 1988, Nagoya in 1989 and Haneda in 2010.

The Airline currently serves these destinations with 56 weekly flights and will add a third daily flight to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from 30 March 2014. This will bring to 63 the total number of weekly services to Japan, including five daily services to the Japanese capital.

While JNTO has worked with various SIA offices around the world on similar campaigns previously, this is the first time both parties have signed an overall MoU on an international level. Under the agreement, which is valued at approximately S$1 million, SIA and JNTO will jointly explore and implement activities to promote tourist traffic to Japan by way of SIA’s services between Singapore and Japan.

The two parties have agreed to commit funds to support advertising and promotional campaigns, as well as familiarisation programmes for trade and media, among other initiatives.

SIA’s Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Mr Chin Yau Seng, said: “Japan has been an important market for Singapore Airlines since we started operating flights there 45 years ago. We remain committed to further developing air travel to Japan over the long term. This agreement with JNTO underscores our confidence in the potential and allure of Japan as a prime tourist destination.

“We look forward to offering more customers the opportunity to discover Japan’s unique culture and heritage, as well as its world-renowned cuisine and the warmth and friendliness of its people.”

Japan National Tourism Organization’s Executive Vice President Mr Takashi Kato remarked: “Since the opening of JNTO Singapore’s office in 2006, Singapore has registered a 40% hike in visitor arrivals to Japan. The numbers have shown significant improvement along with the addition of flights to Haneda by Singapore Airlines in 2010. We are thankful for the consistent support Singapore Airlines has rendered to us, and we strongly believe that the MoU would bring about more Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia visitors to explore Japan.”

About Singapore Airlines
When Singapore Airlines was formed in 1972, it operated a modest fleet of 10 aircraft to just 22 cities in 18 countries. With a commitment to fleet modernisation, product and service innovation and market leadership, the Airline quickly distinguished itself as a world-class carrier.

Today, Singapore Airlines operates a modern passenger fleet of about 100 aircraft and its network, including Singapore Airlines Cargo and SilkAir destinations, covers a total of 214 destinations in 50 countries. Singapore Airlines currently serves four cities in Japan – Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo (both Haneda and Narita airports) – with 56 weekly flights.

In October 2007, Singapore Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance, made aviation history again as the first to fly the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380.

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About Japan National Tourism Organization
The Japan National Tourism Organization has 14 overseas offices across the globe under the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA). The Singapore Office was first established in May 2006 and saw 90,000 Singaporean visitor arrivals to Japan.

Present day, JNTO Singapore marks its 8th anniversary in office and works hand-in-hand with its Japan headquarters, as well as government offices from Japan to actively promote tourism to Japan in Singapore, Malaysia and India. More than 150,000 Singapore visitors have visited Japan, as of November 2013. One of the main reasons for growth would include increased flights by Singapore Airlines to Japan, making Japan more accessible for Singapore visitors.

In January 2013, JNTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MATTA in Yokohama, which will strengthen bilateral relations in the travel trade industry with Malaysia. JNTO Singapore is a committed exhibitor at the semi-annual NATAS Travel Fairs in Singapore and the MATTA Fairs in Malaysia.

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