Japan promotes Okinawan beach breaks at WTM

Japan is pleased to announce that the Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau will be exhibiting on the Japan stand at the World Travel Market for the first time in 2008.

Little known outside Japan, Okinawa is Japan's tropical paradise. Okinawa Prefecture is made up of the Ryukyu Islands, 160 islands of various size scattered across a vast area of ocean. The annual average temperature is a balmy 22.7C, with temperatures in the low 30Cs in the summer months. At this year's WTM the Japan stand will be encouraging tour operators to combine Tokyo and Kyoto city breaks with a visit to the crystal blue seas, white sand beaches and colorful marine life of Okinawa.

Many international hotel brands are now targeting Okinawa for openings as they see it as the next big thing in luxury island holidays. Marriott opened its first hotel in Okinawa in 2005, and two InterContinental hotels will be opening in late 2008.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is set to debut in autumn 2010 with a Sheraton hotel in Okinawa. To promote the new Sheraton, Starwood will tap its extensive resources, including its Starwood Preferred Guest program. Starwood will advertise the new hotel on its multilingual website, while stepping up marketing efforts to leading travel agencies. In addition to the international hotel brands, Okinawa has a range of homegrown beautiful and unique resorts. Some of the best include Kise Bettei Hotel & Spa (kise-bettei.jp), Oriental Hills Hotel (or okinawa.com) and The Busena Terrace (terrace.co.jp).

Okinawa is a great destination for clients looking for unique beach breaks. The islands are great for nature lovers as they are inhabited by many rare species of plants and animals, such as the rare Iriomote wildcats on Iriomote-jima Island. The crystal blue sea, with white sand beaches and one of the largest colonies of coral reef in the world makes it a fantastic destination for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts. Interesting sea life experiences include swimming with whale sharks, diving at the mysterious Yonaguni ruins and diving with manta ray. Kayaking through the mangroves of Iriomote island is another popular activity. This stunning island has a population of less than 2,000 people
and just one road on the whole island, making it relaxing contrast to bustling Tokyo!

For about 450 years, from the 15th to the 19th century, Okinawa prospered as the Kingdom of Ryukyu, a state independent of Japan's central government. To this day Okinawa remains distinctly different from mainland Japan, with its own unique festivals, cuisine and arts. World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle (the castle of the King of Ryukyu) in Naha City is a fascinating attraction that gives viewers an in-depth view of what life was like in the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Anyone who is familiar with the 1980s Karate Kids films will remember Mr. Miyagi and know that Okinawa was the birthplace of karate. Throughout the Okinawa islands there are many karate dojo schools that people from around the world visit to learn about this ancient martial art. Visitors to the islands can also try their hand at traditional crafts such as glass blowing and pottery at places like Gyokusendo Kingdom Village.

Various festivals and events are held in Okinawa throughout the year. You can enjoy cherry blossom festivals and whale watching in spring and winter, marine sports and traditional performing arts in summer, and cultural events and sports in autumn. Some traditional festivals and events include the Hari Dragon Boat Race in May, an Eisa dance competition during the summer Bon Festival period, as well as giant tug-of-war competitions held every summer and autumn.

For lovers of Japanese food Okinawa offers a smorgasbord of new culinary experiences. Because of the difference in culture, climate, vegetables and other ingredients between Okinawa and mainland Japan, Okinawan cuisine is very different from standard Japanese cuisine. Ryukyuan cuisine incorporated influences from Chinese cuisine and Southeast Asian cuisine due to trade. So stir-fries, know as champuru, are a key staple in the Okinawan diet.

Since Okinawans traditionally practiced shamanistic religion and did not encounter Buddhist influence, pork forms a traditional part of the Okinawan diet while people on the main Japanese islands did not eat much meat until the mid-19th century. Purple sweet potato ice-cream is a unique Okinawan treat that is delicious as a snack on the beach! The local firewater is awamori.

With an alcohol content of 25% to 45% it is much stronger than sake, which is typically around 18%. Okinawa is home to the highest concentration of centenarians on earth. Many studies have said the secret to Okinawans long life spans lies to their diet and laid back lifestyles.

"Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau has decided to exhibit at this year's World Travel Market because the WTM is one of the largest travel trade shows in the world and it is a good opportunity to promote the unknown destination "Okinawa" in European Market.

“We think British travelers will love Okinawa for its colorful and unique nature, culture, history and philosophy of life. Okinawa, with mild weather throughout the year and surrounded by beautiful coral reef seas, is a world leading diving mecca. You can enjoy a relaxing stay in the best resort area "Okinawa" with its enriched nature. Please come and see us on the Japan stand to discuss how you can add Okinawa to your brochures", said Takashi Kinjo from Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau.

How to get there
Okinawa is a great beach break extension to time in Japan's major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. You can shop till you drop and eat in Michelin starred restaurants in Tokyo and then spend a week on Okinawa's sunny beaches. Or, you can take in the temples, gardens and geisha shows of Kyoto before relaxing on Okinawa's beaches.

From the UK you can get to Okinawa by flying from London to Tokyo with JAL, ANA, BA or Virgin and then getting a connecting flight down to Okinawa on JAL or ANA (BA codeshares with JAL and Virgin with ANA).

Okinawa can also be easily combined with other destinations in the Far East. Asiana Airlines offers regular services from Seoul to Naha (Okinawa’s capital); China Airlines offers services between Taipei and Naha; China Eastern Airlines offers services between Shanghai and Naha; and Hong Kong Airlines offers services between Hong Kong and Naha.

"Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau have decided to exhibit at this year's World Travel Market because the WTM is one of the largest travel trade shows in the world and it is a good opportunity to promote the unknown destination "Okinawa" in European Market. We think British travelers will love Okinawa for its colorful and unique nature, culture, history and philosophy of life.

“Okinawa, with mild weather throughout the year and surrounded by beautiful coral reef seas, is a world leading diving mecca. You can enjoy a relaxing stay in the best resort area "Okinawa" with its enriched nature.“, said Takashi Kinjo from Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau.