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Costa Cruises prepares for Japan launch
Costa Cruises has officially marked the opening of a new office in Japan as it prepares to launch new itineraries for the Japan market next summer.
Costa Asia will start 10 six-day sailings for the Japanese market in 2016, dubbed a ‘casual family cruising’ concept.
From July to September 2016 itineraries will call at Fukuoka, Maizuru, Kanazawa and Matsue in Japan and Pusan in South Korea.
Buhdy Bok, Costa Group Asia President said the line will bring its signature Italian ambience to a new appreciative market aboard the Costa Victoria.
“My team and I are excited to bring our unique ‘Italy at Sea’ vacation and introduce the new concept of causal family cruising to Japanese guests. With the opening of our new Japan office, we will achieve greater synergies with our travel trade partners, boost awareness of Costa Cruises in Japan and strengthen our leading positioning in Asia.”
Bok said Japan is an important strategic market that is still seen as a ‘sleeping giant.’
“We believe it is all about finding the right combination of entertainment and facilities to unlock the potential of cruising in Japan,” said Bok.
Yusuke Itokawa, Japan country manager, said: “The Costa Japan office will allow us to serve the people of Japan even better than we do today. We will build greater synergies with our travel agents and other travel and tourism partners, and interact more intimately with the people of Japan through more focused marketing efforts.”
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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