JAPAN INDIA TOURISM EXCHANGE YEAR 2007


India and Japan are celebrating the year 2007 as Friendship Year, which is also designated as Japan-India Tourism Year. A grand opening reception of Japan-India Tourism Exchange Year was held on 30th April at the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence attended by H.E. Mrs. Ambika Soni, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India and H.E. Mr. Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, Tourism and Ocean Policy, Government of Japan, Ms. Yoshino Kimura, Goodwill Ambassador for Japanese Tourism, and many officials from government, travel and tourism industry.

Both countries set the target of increasing the number of visitors between them to 300,000 in five years by 2010, which will be almost the double of what it was in 2005. The number will be further increased to 500,000 in ten years by 2015, which will be more than three times visitors as in 2005.

In order to realize the target, both governments will take up the appropriate steps including:

  • Japan will participate in the SATTE 2007, a travel    fair in India and India will participate in events    including JATA World Travel Fair in Japan.


  • Indian Tourism Ministry launches its website in    Japanese language.


  • Both governments to simplify visa rules.


  • Carry out the invitation programmes for mass    media and travel agencies and tourism promotion    seminars for travel agencies and also consider    tourism promotion through film shootings.


  • Will make utmost efforts to further enhance the    environment for receiving tourists.


  • Commemorating the Japan India Tourism Year, JAL    started operating flights all seven days of the    week to India from the end of October 2007, and    ANA six days a week flights to Mumbai from    September 2007.


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    EVENTS (First Half of 2007)
    GRAND OPENING CEREMONY OF THE JAPAN YEAR IN INDIA
    JAPAN-INDIA FRIENDSHIP YEAR 2007
    Date Venue Organizer (Contact) Entry
    February 13 Japanese Ambassador’s Residence Embassy of Japan, Japan Foundation, and
    Japanese Executive Committe for
    Japan-India Friendship Year    		 Invitation
    The Japan-Year in India will unfold with a grand opening ceremony at which Dr. Karan Singh, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations and other eminent people of Delhi are expected to be present. Former Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Yoshiro Mori, Honorary Chairman, Mr. Nobuo Ohashi, Chairman of Japanese Executive Committee of Japan-India Friendship Year will grace the occasion. The ceremony will include short performances of Wadaiko (Japanese Drums) by OEdo Sukeroku Taiko Group and melodious songs by renowned singer Ms Ryoko Moriyama.
    OPENING RECEPTION OF JAPAN-INDIA TOURISM EXCHANGE YEAR
    During the joint statement issued by both the Prime Ministers recently in Tokyo, it was decided to designate Year 2007 as India-Japan Tourism Exchange Year, and Japan will participate in the South Asia Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2007 and India will participate in the World Travel Fair in Japan. The joint statement also sets target for increasing the number of visitors between the two countries to 300,000 by 2010, which will be almost the double of 2005 figures and to 500,000 by 2015. The Opening Reception will be held on 18th April and Japan will set up a JAPAN BOOTH at SATTE 2007 and there will be Tourism Seminar on "WELCOME TO JAPAN".