Proximity means two-nation vacations are easy to do
IAN STALKER
The Japan National Tourism Organization and the Korea Tourism Organization are together reaching out to those interested in particularly comfortable two-nation tours of Asia.
The tourism boards recently held a joint Toronto event dubbed Uncovering Elegance in Korea & Japan, informing those on hand that the countries’ proximity to each other makes it easy for travellers to combine them on an Asian holiday and outlining luxury options for those who appreciate high-end holidays.
“We need more Canadians to visit Japan and… Korea,” said Ken Toyoda, the JNTO’s executive director for Canada, who acknowledged being a fan of Korean culture, including K-Pop music.
Toyoda’s KTO counterpart Jane Kim in turn praised the collaboration by the two tourism boards for offering Asia visitors “two countries at the same time.”
The KTO’s Hillary Nguyen told the audience that “both countries have incredible luxury options” for visitors, with Four Seasons and InterContinental among lodging options in Korea.
She added that tourists can also stay in accommodations that provide insights into traditional Korean homes, enabling them to “immerse yourself in Korean culture.”
Nguyen said Michelin-starred restaurants can be found throughout Korea, with Korean cuisine providing healthy dining.
“Super high-end” wellness opportunities await visitors as well, she continued.
Nguyen praised Korea for having 5,000 years of history, and added that tourists can easily experience Korean culture, which is building a growing international following, underscored by the likes of the widespread popularity of K-Pop music.
K-Pop dance classes are available for visitors, while another non-mainstream Korea activity is visiting the DMZ, which separates North Korea from South Korea and which Nguyen noted enables tourists to “get a glimpse” into the reclusive North. The DMZ is also great for nature lovers, having “tons of wildlife,” Nguyen added.
Priscilla Portsmouth of the JNTO in turn told the gathering that Japan offers “luxury accommodations across the board,” with upscale accommodations available in both cities and rural areas. Among those choices is a Mandarin Oriental property in Tokyo that has 3 Michelin-starred restaurants, with Portsmouth adding that the Japanese capital has 183 Michelin-starred eateries, more than Paris. Portsmouth reported that “luxury glamping” that provides good views of Mount Fuji is available, while those staying in the ancient capital of Kyoto can overnight in a temple that has World Heritage Site status.
Among particularly intriguing experiences available for visitors are practicing Zen meditation in temples, private geisha ceremonies, and taking karate instruction in Okinawa, which Portsmouth labelled the “birthplace” of the martial art.
Last year saw Canadian visitations to Japan top 400,000, a record.
The evening also saw Air Canada’s Mark Hashimoto report that the carrier has boosted its Asia service, while noting that this June will see it launch two seasonal Asia routes — Montreal-Incheon and Toronto-Osaka. Hashimoto used the evening to promote the different levels of Air Canada service, including business class service.
