After Paris, Kyoto reinforces its presence in Europe with the opening of a representation office in Frankfurt.
FRANKFURT– Japan’s historical capital Kyoto opened last week its first representation office in Germany. Kyoto City Tourism Office appointed Inge Leibmann Communication Agency in Frankfurt. Inge Leibmann is well known in Germany as a specialist of Japan and she will be from now the partner for the travel industry, media and also for individuals interested to visit Kyoto. The agency will start promoting Kyoto in conjunction with Japanese airlines, the Japanese Office of Tourism JNTO as well as cultural institutions. The agency will also conduct seminars for the trade about the way to sell Kyoto.
Kyoto remains one of Japan’s most visited cities. According to a city survey done in 2010, total number of travellers (both domestic and foreigners) reached 49.55 million people that year. It was the second largest number on record. The number of foreign visitors who spent a night in Kyoto reached a record of 980,000 people.
Kyoto became the royal capital of Japan in year 794 and remained for thousand years the seat of the Imperial court. Due to its high historical value, UNESCO has inscribed 17 sites into its world heritage list for Kyoto and its surroundings. The Fortress of Shoguns and the magnificent Imperial Palace are part of any Kyoto itinerary. The city also records over 2,000 temples and shrines. The most iconic of them is the UNESCO listed Kinkakuji temple, a delicate structure covered by gold leaves. In recent years, the city is also trying to shake its image to promote its modern culture. Kyoto is also an interesting destination for hip travellers thanks to the presence of Japan’s first International Manga Museum as well as to a lively music and club scene.
Since 2006, Kyoto has opened representative around the world with overseas information centres now available in Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney and in the USA.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
