Fewer stops
More tourists
A win-win situation for WA and Japan.
Western Australia’s struggling tourism industry will get a much-needed boost with the commencement of daily direct flight from Tokyo to Perth by Japanese trendsetting seven-star airline, All Nippon Airways. The historic nine-hour ANA flight is the first to fly direct between Perth and Japan since 2011 and is fully booked with 184 passengers. Due to touchdown in Perth just after 8pm this Sunday, the flight will bring more tourists and business opportunities to our shores.
What does this mean for us? These direct flights will grow Japanese tourist numbers by 76,000, boost the economy by $175.5 million across three years, and create hundreds of jobs.
A clever marketing campaign has rolled out, with media platforms in Japan promoting the flights through Tourism WA, Tourism Australia and the airline. The advertising campaign features popular singer and actor, ‘Nissy’ spotted wandering though WA tourism hotspots. (He’s a big deal in Japan.) Places like the Pinnacles, Kings Park, Rottnest Island, Fremantle, and the Swan Valley make an appearance in the campaign. All bucket list spots for any traveller in our sunny state.
If we shine a light on WA’s trade relationship with Japan – (WA’s biggest export market for petroleum and second biggest market for iron ore and nickel), the new route won’t only affect WA tourism numbers, but will also highlight potential trade and investment opportunities for the state. The direct flights will make Perth’s modern accommodation and dining options, our stunning coastline, and unique flora and fauna much more accessible to this vital market.
What does this mean for language service providers like KP International Translators?
Communication and language are integral parts of the travel experience. With this in mind, KP International Translators wants to make sure precise communication services are always accessible to visitors, tourists, business professionals, and students.
We can translate brochures and welcome letters, send on-site interpreters to tours or day trips, or potentially provide our InterpretManager App within hotels, tours, venues, transport, and hire companies. We also have an exciting new tour package with new advanced equipment for GPS -coordinated tour interpreting. The direct flights could potentially bring more international students to our shores, making language services even more crucial. It’s a new and exciting opportunity to provide our services to make sure foreigners are well-equipped to explore the hidden state of WA.
WA Tourism Minister Paul Papalia says, “the direct air link between Perth and Tokyo is a massive win for the state, which will bring more Japanese visitors to WA and help us grow this important market. We know visitors from Japan rate both modern facilities and natural wonders high on their travel wish lists.”
As for passengers departing from Perth, they’ll be taking off at 9.45pm and landing in Tokyo the next day at 8.25am. So, while a direct flight will theoretically bring more Japanese to WA, it will undoubtedly carry more of us in the opposite direction too. Konichiwa Holiday!