News for the Hospitality Executive |
Massive Support of 'Sugoi Japan' Program Drives Interest and Travel to Japan
Frankfurt
& Singapore – October 10, 2011 -- In
under a fortnight, delegates to Web In Travel conference in Singapore
will get
to see just how “Sugoi” (awesome) Japan is - and will continue to
be - as it claims its
position as one of the top travel markets in Asia.
“Sugoi Japan,” a joint initiative launched earlier by Web In Travel (WIT) in Singapore and Trust International, aims to restore confidence in travel to Japan and raise funds for Living Dreams, a program created under parent non-profit organization International Educational Association for Children (IEAC) to assist and empower orphans in Japan. Since its launch, it has received massive industry support from leading travel brands around the world who have offered special rates, promotional outreach or other forms of support towards meeting the campaign’s overall objectives. The first phase of the campaign promoted “awesome hotel deals” for Japan. Trust International partner hotel groups in Japan are participating by offering the special Sugoi Japan rate. Delta Airlines is offering special rates via its delta.com website and the GDSs. Hotel groups participating include the Japan properties of the following hotel groups: Worldhotels; The Leading Hotels of the World; Small Luxury Hotels of the World; Solare Hotels & Resorts; New Otani Hotel Group; and Okura Hotels & Resorts. The rate is valid until December 15th, 2011 and bookable via the GDSs as well as on the Trust International booking portal https://www.yourreservation.net/ibe/sugoijapan/main.htm “The response to SugoiJapan by travel industry leaders has been outstanding,” said Richard Wiegmann, managing director of Trust International. “The rate has been requested frequently, since SugoiJapan started in July. With continued support from all participants and other who may be interested in joining our effort, we believe we’ll be able to attract many more travelers to Japan, helping to spur their economy.” He added, “We have been overwhelmed by the generous support of the industry and it shows the special place Japan has in our hearts. There are too many to name everyone here but we thank each and everyone of them.” The second phase will unfold live at the WIT Conference in Singapore from Oct 18-19. A Sugoi Japan panel will be one of the highlights of the annual conference and will feature speakers from top Japanese brands such as Naoaki Takayanagi, Senior Manager Consumer Sales & Marketing, All Nippon Airways; Hiroyuki Kamata, Senior Executive Officer, General Manager, Business Strategy Dept, Rakuten Travel, Inc. and Yoshiharu Hoshino, President and Managing Director, Hoshino Resorts Inc. The WIT Conference will end with a “Sugoi Japan” night held at Takumi restaurant at Keppel Bay Marina which will be attended by travel industry leaders and local Japanese dignitaries. “I am grateful to all our friends in Japan – namely Kei Shibata of Venture Republic and Aya Aso of Agora Hospitalities – who have personally helped us with this campaign and for ensuring the night will be an awesome success,” said Yeoh Siew Hoon, editor and founder of WIT. “Japan is an exciting market especially in the online travel space and we look forward to the two events at WIT to give us new lessons in opening up fresh opportunities for two-way travel between Japan and the rest of Asia, particularly now that low cost airlines have entered the fray.” Partners of the “Sugoi Japan” campaign include:
“Creating cutting
edge content and social experiences for the travel community in Asia
Pacific”
Beyond the annual
Conference, the WIT brand now comprises:The heart of WIT is the annual WIT (Web In Travel) Conference that takes place in Singapore. It started six years ago as an event to focus thought, debate and personality around the very dry space (at that time) of travel distribution, marketing and technology. The conference has grown from 160 delegates in 2005 to 420 in 2010. In 2008, it partnered with ITB Asia to open the first edition of Asia’s biggest B2B travel trade event. Since then, it has been held as the opening event to ITB Asia. It’s been supported by the Singapore Tourism Board since inception. 1. A media website specializing in the travel distribution, marketing and technology space in Asia, providing news, commentary, analysis and opinions. 2. WIT events which break down walls between people, culture, knowledge and ideas. These include WIT*e – Inspiration and Mentoring and WITovation Bootcamp –Entrepreneurship & Innovation. In 2008, WIT won the Most Innovative Marketing Award and in 2010, won Trade Conference of the Year in the Singapore Experience Awards run by Singapore Tourism Board.WIT is often referred to as a next generation conference that combines the online and offline world to drive content and create an entire experience for its community. It is the only travel event of its kind in Asia that has managed to engage not only the big brands in this space but also the SMEs throughout the region. It uses both the website and social media to drive content, generate interest through content and competitions and build anticipation towards the main Conference. It also leverages partnerships with industry associations, media partners and influential companies.WIT Conference 2011 will be held Oct 17-19, with the WITovation Bootcamp –Entrepreneurship & Innovation kicking it off on Oct 17 and the main Conference on Oct 18/19. About Trust International Hotel Reservation Services GmbH Trust International is one of the world’s leading CRS providers and international hospitality partners. Trust’s services and supporting technologies help hotel chains and hospitality groups support their sales and marketing activities with the latest distribution solutions. The range of services includes CRS solutions and software, connectivity to all GDS and IDS channels, an Internet booking engine and third party integration to PMS, RMS and CMS systems. Trust International offers the full range of CRS-related products such as content management, business intelligence and commission payment services. Via Trust’s own communication centers located in North America, Europe and The Far East customers in 47 countries are served with private label telephone reservation, concierge and telemarketing services. Established in 1989 Trust International is renowned for its highly reliable reservation platform, continuous investment in system software and hardware and delivery of superior customer value. |
For further information about Trust International please contact: Trust International Hotel Reservation Services Marketing Department Tel: +49(0)69 664 089 1502 [email protected] Media Contacts: Julie Shepherd, Accentuate PR for Trust International in North America Tel. +1 815 479 1833 – [email protected] Christiane Seelgen, Trust International Tel.+49 (0)69 66 40 89 15 03 - [email protected] |