JNTO Brings Mexico, Japan Closer

Yesterday, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) celebrated the anniversary of opening its office in Mexico as part of its efforts to put Japan back on the map and encourage tourism between the two countries since borders were opened to tourists last Oct 11. During the event, it was also announced that Aeroméxico will direct flight from Mexico to Narita International Airport on March 25, 2023. 

“As of Oct 11, borders were opened to tourists. As part of the JNTO, we are pleased to welcome all Mexicans into our country. Through the tourism promotion of our office in Mexico, we want to show you the unknown charms of Japan,” said Satoshi Seino, President, JNTO. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Mexican visitors to Japan reached its highest point in history with 71,745 travelers. This number fell to 1,124 passengers in 2021 but have been picking up again. During the first 10 months of 2022, 2,700 travelers visited Japan. 

To recover the tourism levels, JNTO plans to generate more engagement with airlines and travel agencies, increase its online presence and continue to inform the media of this travel opportunity for Mexican tourists. “We have not yet recovered from the pandemic, especially because of the flight suspensions and manpower that left during the pandemic; we still have to wait for a full recovery,” said Yasuyuki Harada, Director, JNTO. 

Japan is targeting 60 million foreign visitors in 2023 through collaborations with tourism agencies, new airline deals and joint efforts of Japanese Embassies, For example, the Japanese Embassy in Mexico is working with the Mexican Ministry of Tourism to promote travel across both countries, said Noriteru Fukushima, Japanese Ambassador to Mexico. 

On Sep. 26, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Hayashi Yoshimasa met Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard to enhance cooperation to reinforce international order based on the rule of law. The emergence of new organizations such as JNTO, the constant collaboration to promote cooperation between Japan and the Pacific Alliance and maintaining the high standards of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) could become key factors to a successful and stronger relationship between the two nations.