Gov. Neil Abercrombie visits with the Japan Travel Bureau. (Photo courtesy of the Governor's Office)

MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and officials from the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) participated in back-to-back meetings in Tokyo yesterday. They met with representatives of various Japanese agencies that are key partners in the visitor industry.

Before discussing matters of business, the governor relayed Hawaii’s ongoing commitment in supporting Japan as it recovers from the March tsunami.

“These are resilient people, and it is important for them to know that our aloha for Japan continues as it rebuilds,” Abercrombie said. “But it was equally important to build upon our relationship as we work to strengthen visitor industry ties.”

According to the HTA, 17.6 percent of visitors to Hawaii traveled from Japan in 2010. Visitor spending from Japan is up 4.9 percent to $1.27 billion for year-to-date.

Abercrombie’s schedule for the day included meetings with:

* Japan Association of Travel Agents, led by Chairman Akira Kanai
* JALPAK, led by JALPAK President Makoto Onishi
* Japan Airlines, led by Japan Airlines President Masaru Onishi
* JTB/JWV, led by company president, Hiromi Tagawa
* Kintetsu, led by company president, Katsuhisa Yoshikawa
* H.I.S., led by company president, Akira Hirabayashi

JTB Corporation General Manager Toru Furusawa said, “The governor has a clear vision and solid insight and we look forward to growing our relationship in order to strengthen Hawaii’s tourism industry.”

“The energy and passion of Governor Abercrombie is infectious and unlike any others we have met before,” said JATA Chairman Akira Kanai.

The governor now travels to Okinawa where he will participate in its Uchinanchu Parade and attend the Okinawa Governor’s Reception.

Then the governor will be joined by University of Hawaii President MRC Greenwood for meetings at the University of Ryukyus/Ryudai where they will also participate in a tree planting ceremony.

This is Abercrombie’s first international trip since taking office. He is traveling to Tokyo, Okinawa, and Beijing for meetings with travel industry leaders.

He is accompanied by HTA officials who arranged part of the trip in an effort to reach out to international markets and strengthen economic relations prior to the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

The governor will also attend the National Governors Association U.S. – China Governors Forum in Beijing before returning Oct. 21 to Hawaii.