Mitsui Fudosan Group Strengthens Initiatives on Inbound Tourism
1. Exhibits at the World’s Largest Travel Trade Fair, “Tourism EXPO Japan” (Sept. 27-28)
2. Plan to Enhance Inbound Tourism Services in Line with Revision to Duty Free System on Oct. 1
3. Services for Overseas Tourists from Oct. 1, Asian Autumn Holiday Season

September 24, 2014
Mitsui Fudosan Group

TOKYO, Japan, September 24, 2014 - Mitsui Fudosan Group has concurred with the Japanese government’s concept of promoting Japan as a tourist destination, and is responding to a significant rise in the number of foreign tourists in 2013 by strengthening its initiatives for inbound travel. The Group operates retail properties, hotels, resorts and other facilities throughout Japan, and is promoting development in the Nihonbashi area (Chuo Ward, Tokyo) to showcase the appeal of Japan and Japanese culture to the world. As a general developer, the Group provides various enjoyable experiences to people in and outside of Japan, including shopping, dining, accommodation, leisure activities, and city strolls.

1. Mitsui Fudosan Group will exhibit at JATA Tourism EXPO Japan, the world’s largest travel trade fair (operated by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association and the Japan Association of Travel Agents) on September 27 (Sat.) and 28 (Sun) at Tokyo Big Sight. Tourism EXPO Japan is the first time that the Japan domestic travel trade fairs Tabi Fair Japan and JATA Tabihaku Travel Showcase have been held together. Over 150,000 visitors are expected. The event is open for industry-related visitors on September 25th (Thur.) and 26th (Fri.), including guests from national and government institutions and the tourism industry in and outside of Japan. September 27th (Sat.) and 28th (Sun.) are the days for the general public, including travel-related professionals such as interpreters and tour operators, as well as travel enthusiasts. Mitsui Fudosan Group will promote its initiatives to all visitors as a Group that can provide a full range of travel-related enjoyment from shopping through to accommodation.
   * Mitsui Fudosan Group will also exhibit at the VISIT JAPAN Travel Mart 2014 event which runs concurrently from September 24 (Wed.) to 26 (Fri.).
2. From October 1, the duty free system for foreign travelers will be changed. The Group will respond to this change by expanding its stores offering duty free services. At Mitsui Outlet Park and Mitsui Shopping Park LaLa Port retail properties and the COREDO urban retail properties the number of duty free shops will be expanded from approximately 190 to approximately 290, and the Group plans to continue increasing them in stages. Moreover, the Group will take various steps to enhance its services such as reinforcing training for facility employees and store staff to help them deal with inbound visitors, expand the number of stores that accept China UnionPay cards, and increase use of foreign-language menus that explain the ingredients of items.
3. In the first half of fiscal 2014, the Group’s facilities have seen a significant increase in tourists from Overseas, particularly facilities where numbers have increased by approximately 140% at Mitsui Garden Hotels and approximately 130%* at retail properties from the previous fiscal year. The Group will bolster the number of Chinese-speaking support staff at its retail properties from October 1 to coincide with the Asian Autumn holiday season, give shopping gift certificates to shoppers who present their passports, and prepare various other special offers to provide services that will satisfy foreign tourists who visit its facilities. *Based on numbers of tour buses

Mitsui Fudosan Group has been promoting various initiatives for inbound tourism through linked efforts between its Group companies, including exhibiting at travel fairs in Asian countries throughout the year, undertaking joint promotions with overseas travel companies, and providing services for inbound tourists at its facilities. The Group will now step up its activities for overseas travelers, aggressively promoting inbound tourism activities and expanding its services to ensure even higher levels of satisfaction for inbound tourists using its facilities.

Foreign concierges are available at the Nihonbashi Information Center

For further details, please refer to attachment PDF(304KB).

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