Based on the partnership, Osaka Tourism Bureau will issue travel coupons on Ctrip platform to give away entrance tickets of popular attractions in Osaka to Chinese travelers.
BEIJING, China – On July 27, Chinese leading online travel company Ctrip announced to form a comprehensive strategic cooperation with Japan’s Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau. Both parties will work together in product development and promotion, big data, marketing innovation and other aspects.
Based on the partnership, Osaka Tourism Bureau will issue travel coupons on Ctrip platform to give away entrance tickets of popular attractions in Osaka to Chinese travelers. Local famous hotel brands will also work more closely with Ctrip to bring a better travel experience for Chinese tourists in Osaka.
Bidging Sino-Japan tourism
According to reports, Japan ranked among the top 3 outbound destinations for Chinese in recent years. As a “murst go” city in Japan, Osaka has attracted much attention. Public data showed that in the first half of 2017, visitors from China accounted for the majority of a total of 5.31 million foreign tourists to Osaka.
“At present, China has become the leading client source for Osaka tourism, and Chinese tourists are very important to us. We have been working closely with Ctrip over the past few years, which brought us pleasant results,” said Hiroshi Mizohata, Director of Osaka Tourism Bureau.
VP of Ctrip Zhang Rong made a speech at the event
In this regard, Zhang Rong, Ctrip’s Vice President and General Manager of Ctrip Hotel Business, said that one fifth of Chinses tourists to Japan booked their trips through Ctrip, and the company had contributed significant benefits for major destinations such as Osaka.
Ctrip’s cooperation with Osaka Tourism Bureau comes highly anticipated. It is expected to rejuvenate Osaka’s local tourism market.
Hiroshi Mizohata added, “given that Ctrip is the preferred outbound travel portal for Chinese visitors, we hope to work with Ctrip platform to attract more Chinese tourists and to further enhance the visibility of Osaka. There is great potential in Sino-Japan tourism market. We are very optimistic about the prospects of our cooperation. We hope to establish a benchmark for Sino – Japanese travel collaboration.”
Zhang Rong agreed on Mizohata’s words, “as the partnership moves forward, it will provide Chinese tourists with more choices as well as build a ‘bridge’ between China and Japan.”
As the recognition of Ctrip’s major contribution to Japan tourism market, Zhang Rong was invited as the only VIP in the private sector to participate in the welcome dinner hosted by Osaka Tourism Bureau.
Making it easier to travel to Osaka
As a result of the partnership, Chinese tourists will experience more diverse ified products and better services in Osaka through Ctrip.
Ctrip and Osaka Tourism Bureau Achieved the Partnership Agreement
According to the cooperation agreement, Osaka Tourism Bureau will issue one-day and two-day city travel coupons through Ctrip. Zhang Rong introduced that by using the coupons, Chinese visitors will be able to enjoy multiple subway rides across Osaka, and visit the sky garden and other local popular attractions for free.
Ctrip users will also get a much broader access to Osaka’s hotels with deeper discounts. It is reported that Miyako Group, Hankyu Hanshin Hotel Group, Keihan Group and other local well-known hotel groups have initiated to seek cooperation with Ctrip and launch exclusive products for Ctrip users.
With the cooperation, Ctrip will design more “hotel+x” packages for Osaka market in order to offer more personalized experience for Chinese tourists. These efforts will give a boost to Ctrip’s expansion in the Japanese hotel market.
As an effort of Ctrip’s globlization, Zhang Rong said, “the company has made progress in Japanese tourism market. In addition to establishing branch offices, the hotel business unit is also growing its overseas operations. The cooperation with Osaka Tourism Bureau further strengthened Ctrip’s global presence.”
Photo caption: Ctrip and Osaka Tourism Bureau Signed the Partnership Agreement
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
