Royal Scenic highlights Japan travel with Air Canada and JNTO

Royal Scenic, together with partners at the Japan National Tourism Organization and Air Canada, welcomed 125 agents to a dinner event in Vancouver last week to learn more about the company’s Japan packages.

“Most first-timers to Japan want to visit Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Kyoto,” Harold Ho, VP marketing and business development for Royal Scenic, told PAX, noting those are the destinations included in Royal Scenic’s most popular Japan package: the six-day Highlights of Japan. “Kyoto is very different from Tokyo,” he added. “Kyoto is more traditional. The vibrancy of Tokyo can be a little bit overwhelming, but it is very exciting.”

Air Canada currently offers 2,900 seats per day from Canada to Japan, said Rocky Lo, the airline’s director, revenue management and business development – Asia. That’s set to increase to 3,500 per day next summer thanks to a new Vancouver–Nagoya route launching June 1, 2017, on Air Canada rouge – the only non-stop flight from Canada to the city.

“We’re extremely excited about this opportunity and the expansion this provides into this market,” said Michael DeGrace, manager speciality sales Asia for Air Canada, noting the increased potential for triangle fares.

“I can take a non-stop flight to Tokyo, take the train to Nagoya, then fly back from there,” said Maria Lu, Air Canada specialty sales manager – Western Canada and Asia. “That’s something only Air Canada can do.”

In addition to information about the offerings from Royal Scenic and Air Canada, the evening featured a wellness presentation by naturopathic doctor Alexander Yuan, who flew in from Hong Kong for Royal Scenic events in Calgary and Vancouver.

Royal Scenic will be hosting a series of webinars in association with the City of Tokyo tourism office on November 16, December 7 and January 8. Interested agents should email lorena.marques@royalscenic.com to register. Agents can also learn more about selling Asia through Royal Scenic’s Certified Asia Specialist program, which is worth 12 advanced ACTA credits toward CTC certification.

For more information, visit royalscenic.com.