Last week, Fukuoka & Oita Prefectures welcomed wholesalers, tour operators and agents for an evening of Japanese taste sensations and to discover more about the prefectures – located next to one another in the northern part of Kyushu Island – as Japan prepares for a full reopening.
Guests enjoyed an evening of cocktails, wine and a four-course meal at Howard Smith Wharves hotspot, Yoko Dining, as they learnt about the stunning natural beauty, rich culture, wellness escapes, and ease of travel in both prefectures, and why Fukuoka and Oita are must-visit destinations for travellers looking to experience Japan off the beaten path, distinct from other well-known Japanese favourites.
Visiting Australia for the first time since the pandemic, Fukuoka and Oita Prefecture delegates (Satomi Nishida san – Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Association, Nozomi Iwane san – Fukuoka Prefectural Government, Saori Kato san – Tourism Oita, and Masahiro Ide san – FREEPLUS Inc./Oita Prefecture,) were in attendance to personally welcome the valued trade attendees to the event. Attendees included Inside Japan Tours, Travel Japan, MW Tours, Flight Centre, Travel Associates, Helloworld Travel, TravelManagers and other independent agents.
Some lucky attendees won bottles of Fukuoka and Oita sake and bespoke Japanese floral arrangements throughout the night. Lolo Trendell of Trendell & Turner Travel Associates took home the grand prize, a workshop for two with local Japanese florist Mikiko Inoue of Kent Florist in Brisbane. Mikiko has close ties to both regions – she was born in Fukuoka, and her mother is from Oita Prefecture.
For more images from the event, visit Travel Monitor Facebook page here.
