Japan National Tourism Organization Shines at Routes Asia 2024 Awards

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) was hailed as the Overall Winner at the Routes Asia 2024 Awards, in addition to securing victory in the Destination category. This prestigious recognition underscores JNTO’s exemplary efforts in promoting Japan as a leading travel destination, achieved through innovative marketing strategies and collaborative initiatives with airlines and travel partners.

Held in Langkawi, Malaysia, the Routes Asia 2024 event celebrated outstanding achievements in airport and destination marketing. JNTO stood out among five distinguished winners for its strategic approach to aviation success, which includes codeshare flights, inventive incentives, and collaborative campaigns aimed at driving reservations and passenger recovery. Akira Watabe, Director of JNTO, attributed the organization’s success to its innovative practices that contribute to a resilient future for Japan’s tourism industry.

JNTO’s strategy focuses on enticing visitors to explore Japan’s regional areas through collaborations with airlines, travel agencies, and online platforms. Targeted campaigns are directed towards markets with a high propensity for regional exploration and repeat visits, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

Clark International Airport in the Philippines was awarded in the Under 5 Million Passengers category, reflecting its impressive growth and the addition of new airlines and destinations in 2023. Perth Airport, retaining its title from the previous year, triumphed in the 5-20 Million Passengers category, showcasing a robust recovery post-pandemic with a record number of passengers and new routes.

Melbourne Airport clinched the Over 20 Million Passengers category, recognized for its expansion in international airline services and the introduction of notable new routes, including Qantas’ service to Dallas-Fort Worth and Turkish Airlines’ inaugural flight to Melbourne as its first Australian destination.

Cebu Pacific emerged victorious in the Airline category, highlighting its successful collaborative strategies and the revival of its Clark hub, which facilitated the resumption and launch of numerous domestic and international routes.

The Routes Asia 2024 Awards, through a rigorous judging process involving panels of airline and editorial judges, celebrated the finalists and winners across the Airport, Destination, and Airline categories, acknowledging their contributions to the growth and development of the Asia Pacific’s aviation and tourism sectors.