Wild Okinawa, Hakka heritage in Hong Kong, Chinese culture in Suzhou talked up as tourist draws in Asia with international travel resuming
- Asia was not well represented at an international meet-up for tourism promoters, travel writers and bloggers, but destinations are making plans to draw visitors
- Okinawa in Japan wants to make the most of a recent Unesco World Heritage listing, while Hong Kong considers ways to promote its Chinese cultural heritage
In March, some 400 travel professionals gathered at London’s Queen Elizabeth II Centre, overlooking Westminster Abbey, for International Media Marketplace UK (IMM).
IMM is a two-day event at which journalists and bloggers are matched with tourism boards, travel brands and destination marketing agencies in 15-minute, speed-networking meetings.
Given the realities of tourism in the era of Covid-19, representatives from Asia were few and far between.
Nevertheless, as I walked into the seated lunch on the first day, I was pleasantly surprised to be serenaded by Chinese opera, provided by IMM’s headline sponsor, Visit Suzhou. This was particularly surprising given that China’s borders remain closed to international visitors.
Other Asian destinations represented included Hong Kong and Okinawa (Japan). I also met with representatives of Asia-Europe-straddling Azerbaijan and noted there were a number of representatives of Middle East destinations present.
Among everyone I spoke to, there was an unsurprising push towards outdoor activities, sports, beaches, natural parks and other Covid-safe, open-air experiences.
