The Lake District Japan Forum has been showcasing the region to Japanese tour operators at a special event held in London last night, Wednesday 7 June 2017.
The event, at Zizzis in St Katherine’s Docks overlooking the River Thames, was arranged by the Lake District Japan Forum to highlight the very best of the Lake District, Cumbria, to influential tour operators and media.
The Lake District Japan Forum is made up of businesses who have forged close links with Japan over the last 20 years and the latest event was part of a collective push to reinforce the county’s reputation as one of the top destinations in the UK for Japanese tourists.
Delegates were introduced to a range of inspiring attractions, quality accommodation and fine food and drink from across the Lakes. It was also a great opportunity to demonstrate how businesses can work together to create itineraries for both groups and independent travellers.
Chairman of the Japan Forum and marketing manager of English Lakes Hotels Colin Fox, says, “The Lake District has been popular with Japanese visitors for over two decades now and the relationship we have nurtured with the London offices for this important market has not only maintained good levels of business from Japan but as many of the companies have diversified into other areas of Asia we have seen numbers increase from all over the world. Their great love for the stories of Peter Rabbit and friends is well known and with the Beatrix Potter exhibition touring around Japan that has to date been seen by over half a million people and a new Peter Rabbit movie recently being filmed in parts of the Lake District the immediate future of this strong relationship with Japan looks very healthy.”
Sales and Marketing Manager at Windermere Lake Cruises, Jennifer Cormack, adds, “The Lake District Japan Forum is a great example of our tourism industry coming together to build relationships and strengthen overseas markets for the future. The collective power of businesses working together to promote the destination is immense, and this showpiece event in London was a fantastic way to speak directly to Japanese influential tour operators and decision-makers.”
The full list of exhibitors represented at last night’s event included:
- Blackwell Arts & Crafts House
- Dalemain Historic House and Gardens
- English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues
- Grasmere Gingerbread
- Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
- Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel
- Mountain Goat Tours
- National Trust
- Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
- Reays Coaches
- Windermere Lake Cruises
- World of Beatrix Potter