On the occasion of the visit by the tourism mission of the state-owned Paradores hotel chain, National Tourist Office of Spain hosted a sales seminar on February 24 in Tokyo and introduced the diverse allure of Paradores’ difference from the other hotel chains and its high quality services. Ignacio Ducasse, Director for Japan, Korea & Taiwan at National Tourist Office of Spain told the seminar that the year 2009 was indeed a difficult year for the travel industry, but the number of Japanese visitor arrivals started to increase since last August and the improvement convinced him that it demonstrates an upward trend will continue during the year 2010, adding that he would expect Paradores, above all, to motivate travelers to visit Spain.

At present, a majority of foreign guests are from UK, Germany and France. The number of Japanese guests, ranked sixth among other countries, enjoys the highest share in the Asian market. Carlos Abella Picazo, General Manager of Sales Department, Paradores said that many Japanese show interest in the Spanish culture and history and Paradores would like to welcome Japanese as their guests. The Paradores hotel chain endeavors to improve its market recognition and boost the number of guests from Japan, by continuing its promotional events and sales seminars targeting the Japanese travel industry and the general consumers.

The year 2009 saw a 17 percent year-on-year increase of the Japanese guests at Paradores and the Paradores hotel chain strives for an increase of 15 to 17 percent year-over-year, said Picazo. In terms of its main targeted segment, he added, Paradores considers a leisure travel market including FITs (foreign independent tour) and package tours. In a drive to enhance its leisure travel market, the Paradores hotel chain is offering the travel agency staff the discount tariff throughout the year and the travel programs as well combining the accommodations at Paradores with some outdoor activities.

Also, a chef of the Paradores hotel chain visited Japan on the same day and gave a meal presentation followed by a food tasting. Picazo remarked, “The demonstration of the Spanish cooking and the food tasting would hopefully give the invited guests a chance to appreciate the high quality that Paradores offer. Masaru Mikami, Director General at IBERO JAPAN introduced Paradores located in the respective areas. Paradore de Hondarribia, among the other Paradores, Mikami said, is the only Paradore which does not have a restaurant, but then, there are many excellent places to dine locally in town. Paradores are deeply connected with the history, nature and culture of the respective cities and towns, which demonstrates a non-stereotypical allure that the Paradores offer to their guests, emphasized Mikami.


(Note: This article translated from Japanese into English)