Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Hosts First Consumer Event in Riyadh, Showcasing Japan’s Seasonal Beauty and Luxury Experiences   Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Dubai Office hosted its first-ever consumer-focused event in Saudi Arabia, titled “FEEL YOUR FOUR SEASONS”, on December 6th and 7th at Panorama Mall, located in the heart of Riyadh. This event provided visitors with an immersive introduction to Japan’s diverse seasonal attractions, including luxury travel experiences available across Japan’s many regions.   With the theme of Japan’s four distinct seasons, the event highlighted the unique charm of each season and the exclusive experiences they offer. Visitors were treated to two experiential domes that showcased Japan’s spring and autumn landscapes, along with exhibitions introducing seasonal delicacies, activities, and travel content specific to each time of year.

As Saudi Arabia prepares to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh, the event also featured participation from Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, representing Osaka, the host city of Expo 2025.   The event was attended by approximately 2,000 guests, including local consumers, media representatives, and influencers. It provided a valuable opportunity for Saudis to discover the seasonal beauty of Japan and learn about the country’s premium travel offerings, emphasizing Japan as a destination that caters to high-value travel experiences.

“We are honored to have hosted our very first consumer event in Riyadh at such a meaningful time, as we approach the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2025. This event allowed us to share the exclusive and diverse tourism appeal of Japan, and we are delighted by the high level of interest and enthusiasm for travel to Japan expressed by attendees.    With direct flights from the GCC region to Japan rapidly expanding—thanks to airlines like Japan Airlines launching new route and other carriers increasing their capacities—the number of Saudi travelers visiting Japan continues to grow at an impressive pace. In the first half of 2024, the number of visitors from Saudi Arabia increased by 72.2% compared to the same period in 2023, which clearly indicates Japan’s growing appeal as a destination for Saudi travelers.* This event further confirmed the strong interest in Japan among Saudi residents.   As showcased at this event, Japan offers a variety of unique experiences throughout the year: train journeys during the cherry blossom season, ikebana (flower arrangement) workshops, forest bathing in lush green woods during summer, temple stays surrounded by autumn foliage, skiing on pristine powder snow, and even drift-ice walking tours in Japan’s northernmost regions during winter.   We hope travelers from Saudi Arabia and across the GCC will visit Japan to enjoy these luxurious and diverse seasonal experiences, immersing themselves in the country’s unique beauty and hospitality.”   Looking Ahead JNTO remains committed to promoting Japan as a premier travel destination while collaborating with local stakeholders in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region. For more information on traveling to Japan and the latest travel updates, please visit https://www.japan.travel/en/      *Data Source: Japan National Tourism Organization Tourism Statistics  

        About JNTO Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is a governmental organization, which belongs to the same group as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and Japan Tourism Agency. With international offices in major cities around the world, JNTO aims to promote inbound tourism to Japan, providing comprehensive information about the country and the unique experiences on offer. JNTO is the entity responsible for implementing marketing and promotion of inbound tourism in accordance with the country’s inbound travel policies. With a focus on promoting Japan as a world-leading travel destination to the rest of the world, JNTO provides support for the planning and sales of travel products to Japan, develops new tourism revenue streams, and carries out general on-the-ground activities to attract international visitors, including support for local communities in their efforts to promote tourism.