2005 See America Week - Japan

Highlights

A total of 800 travel professionals and press attended yet another successful See America Week Japan September 20 – 27, 2005 in Tokyo and Osaka. The events were produced by TIA in conjunction with the Japan Visit USA Committee, the U.S. Commercial Service and the Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA).

See America Week events included:

The See America Workshop and Reception were held on September 20 at the Ritz Carlton Osaka Hotel. 100 travel agents and tour operators visited 28 U.S. Suppliers who exhibited at the Workshop. Mr. Alan Long, Principal Commercial Consul in Osaka, Mr. Victor Osumi, Chairman of the Japan Visit USA Committee and Ms. Kayoko Knoue, TIA's Managing Director – Japan were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The JATA World Travel Fair was held September 22 – 24. It attracted over 104,000 visitors including 30,000 travel trade. A "happy hour" was held at the See America Pavilion at JATA attracting 200 travel trade and sponsored by 40 U.S. Suppliers. Guests were treated to wine and light snacks.

The See America Pavilion hosted a very successful See America Treasure Hunt Game. Over 1,200 people took part and enjoyed the game. Questions were collected from participating exhibitors and given to consumers visiting the Pavilion. Consumers had to visit the booths in order to get the correct answers. Gifts donated from the U.S. Suppliers were given away to those with all 10 questions answered correctly. Northwest Airlines and United Airlines provided airlines tickets as the final Grand Prize drawing.

U.S. Exhibitors at the See America Pavilion donated items to be auctioned off in order to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims. The generosity of all participants raised almost $4,000.

At the See America Media Marketplace held in Tokyo on September 26, representatives from 29 U.S. travel organizations met one on one with 63 key travel writers and Japanese trade and consumer journalists.

Media Marketplace

The See America Media Reception and Travel Writers Award Ceremony was held immediately following the See America Media Marketplace. The Award was presented to Mr. Michio Higashi for his book "American Road Story." Mr. Higashi was given a trip to Los Angeles sponsored by Marriott International, Northwest Airlines, Dollar/Thrifty Automotive Group and Chelsea Premium Outlets.

Mr. Michio Higashi receives the Travel Writers Award from Ms. Kayoko Inoue, Managing Director, International Marketing, Japan Office, TIA

The fifth annual See America Educational Seminar was held in Tokyo on September 27. A record number 161 participants attended the event including 117 travel agents and tour operators. Marriott International was the title sponsor. Other sponsors included: Chelsea Premium Outlets, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Royal Caribbean International, New Mexico Tourism Office, Orlando Tourism, Fairbanks CVB, Las Vegas CVA, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, The Top of the Rock, and US-Visit. Samsonite Japan sponsored the briefcases.

117 travel agents attended the Educational Seminar

Ms. Kayoko Inoue, Managing Director, International Marketing, Japan Office, TIA presents at the Educational Seminar

Following the Seminar, 125 U.S. Suppliers, travel agents and tour operators attended a reception at the Conrad Tokyo hosted by TIA in appreciation for all the participating Educational Seminar sponsors.