Japan set to be big in 2005
Well-heeled holidaymakers will be heading to Japan and Libya next year according to upmarket operator Cox & Kings.
Movies such as Lost in Translation and The Last Samurai have played a role in promoting Japan according to the company’s Far East product manager Mark Crosby. But money spent by the Japanese tourist board on promoting the destination to Europeans has obviously not gone to waste. It is the fastest growing destination amongst Cox & Kings’ clients.
He added: “Another fundamental reason is that Japan has become cheaper as a destination; the country is currently experiencing deflation, and the pound has performed well against the Yen recently, making it better value for the visitor.”
Tony Blair’s trip to Libya has raised the profile of the country, according to the operator and the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna continue to be a draw.
Ethiopia, Mali, Southern India and South America were also tipped as being possible favourites for next year.
These destinations didn’t feature strongly in Thomson’s top ten for next year, which included Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, Croatia and Thailand.
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026