Tokyo and New York City Sign Tourism PR Partnership

On November 10, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced a tourism PR partnership with the New York City Tourism Bureau at a press conference held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

The agreement was reached because Tokyo aims to attract 25 million foreign visitors annually by 2020, the year of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, while New York City targets welcoming approximately 330,000 Japanese travelers this year.

Governor Yuriko Koike stated, "New York City is Tokyo's first sister city. Since forming our partnership in 1960, we have engaged in various exchanges for over 50 years. This initiative will be highly meaningful in attracting more travelers to Tokyo." She added, "The number of overseas visitors to Tokyo has increased approximately 2.7 times over the past decade, exceeding 13 million in 2016. We hope this partnership will increase travel in both directions."

Fred Dixon, President and CEO of the New York City Tourism Bureau, introduced the city's tourism programs and latest information, commenting, "We are delighted to sign this agreement today. It will not only expand tourism for each city but also yield greater benefits by blending our respective cultures."

Dixon then signed the partnership agreement alongside Yuji Fujita, Director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs.

To commemorate the signing, Tokyo Tower, a landmark of Tokyo, was illuminated from sunset until 11:00 PM that day, while the Empire State Building, a landmark of New York City, was illuminated until 2:00 AM the following day (local time).

A panel discussion on the theme of "New York City Tourism Marketing" was also held at the venue. The moderator was Professor Kyoichi Ikeo of Meiji Gakuin University, who chaired the conference on branding Tokyo as a travel destination. The three panelists, Makiko Mazda Healey, Managing Director of Global Recovery at the New York City Tourism Bureau, and Chitose Maeda, Director of the Tourism Promotion Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, exchanged views on New York City's initiatives and Tokyo from the perspective of New York City.

 

Official website:

http://www.seisakukikaku.metro.tokyo.jp/gaimubu/output/index.html