Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand VIP Dinner

In response to a waiata, the Japanese delegation led by JTB CEO and President Mr Hiromi Tagawa, sang a traditional Japanese folk song.

Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand held a VIP dinner for their tourism partners in Japan at the Embassy on Thu 1 November. 

The dinner was an opportunity for the New Zealand delegation to deepen relationships with a group of CEOs from some of Japan's leading tourism and travel trade companies.  Spontaneous waiata and song from both the Japanese and New Zealand guests punctuated the formal presentations, which made for a special night.  Japanese cheering squad, the Gamushara Oendan, gave a rousing series of cheers (and a haka!) in support of the event.

Japan is a very important tourist market for New Zealand and over the years New Zealand has welcomed millions of Japanese tourists to our shores.  Japanese visitors will soon be able to enjoy a return to daily direct flights on Air New Zealand from Japan to New Zealand.  And the forthcoming release of The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey is expected to attract many Japanese visitors, looking to experience for themselves the awe inspiring landscapes on display in the film.  Interested?  Click here to visit Tourism New Zealand's Japanese site.

Please see below for the full text of the speech made by Tourism New Zealand Chair, Ms Kerry Prendergast at the event.

Attachment
Nov 1 Tourism Trade event.pdf