Web In Travel  (WIT) in Singapore and Trust International, a leading provider of reservation and distribution solutions for the hospitality industry, are spearheading a “Sugoi Japan” (Awesome Japan) campaign aimed at restoring confidence in travel to Japan during the coming months and raising funds for Living Dreams, a program created under parent non-profit organization International Educational Association for Children (IEAC) to assist and empower orphans in Japan.
 
The first phase will kick off July 15 when Trust International and its partner hotel groups who have member hotels in Japan (i.e. Worldhotels, The Leading Hotels of the World, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Solare Hotels & Resorts, New Otani Hotelgroup, Okura Hotels & Resorts and many others) will offer attractive rates in their Japanese hotels to drive tourism and business in Japan. The special  “Sugoi Japan” rates will be valid from July 15th – December 15th, 2011 and are bookable on the hotels’ websites and in the GDS.
 
Support from interested parties such as tourism organizations, traditional and online travel agencies and media is being sought to help spread word of this campaign.
 
The campaign will feature a “Sugoi Japan” party on October 19 during the annual WIT Conference for WIT’s speakers, participating hoteliers and invited guests to raise funds for orphans of the March 11 tsunami.
 
“We guarantee it will be an awesome night of fun, Japanese treats and delights at Takumi, one of Singapore’s top Japanese restaurants,” said Yeoh Siew Hoon, editor and producer of WIT.  “We will also be raising funds for Living Dreams. We welcome fundraising ideas and participation from all who wish to support the children orphaned by the tsunami."
 
Ms. Yeoh stated, “Japan has always been a key feature at the WIT conference, thanks to our supporters in Japan, and it seemed only right that this year we put the spotlight on this wonderful destination as well as an outbound market that’s played such a big part in the development of travel and tourism in Asia.”
 
Richard Wiegmann, managing director of Trust International said, “Japan has long been a powerful force in the global hospitality industry, heavily impacting the technology used by travelers and the travel industry, as well as being a major tourism destination and filling hotel rooms worldwide as its citizens traverse the world for business and pleasure. As Japan faces this crisis, we are leading this initiative together with WIT and our partner hotel groups and other industry partners, in supporting our hotel partners and friends in Japan. Promoting tourism in this manner drives business over the long term - creating jobs and generating revenue many times over – that will help strengthen the hospitality industry and rebuild the Japanese economy.”