Fujita Kanko intends to use its Taipei office to promote its 50-plus properties throughout Japan and build recognition for its established businesses among travelers and other stakeholders in Taiwan. It also aims to leverage its expertise in hospitality, leisure travel, meetings, weddings and banquets to build business in Taiwan as well.

Taiwan is Japan’s third largest inbound market, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, after Korea and China. It is also among the top four destinations for Japanese tourists. In 2011, Taiwan and Japan signed an open skies agreement, which is expected to increase air traffic between the two countries and result in an increase in tourists to both countries.

“We see growing opportunities in Asia, and the Taiwan market is very important for us,” said Kazumasa Suezawa, Fujita Kanko’s president/CEO. “We have a 57-year history in the Japanese tourism industry, and offer some of Japan’s most upscale properties. We have always been fortunate to have many guests from other Asian countries. We are eager to increase global awareness of our properties to welcome more international travelers, including Taiwanese.”

The company opened its first overseas office in Shanghai in 2010. Its second one was opened in Seoul in July 2012. Fujita Kanko plans to continue building its Asian business base aggressively, and will use its overseas offices to maximize sales and marketing and business development efforts in the region, according to the company.

TAIPEI—In an expansion effort, Japanese hospitality company Fujita Kanko, Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, will open an office here December 1.

Fujita Kanko intends to use its Taipei office to promote its 50-plus properties throughout Japan and build recognition for its established businesses among travelers and other stakeholders in Taiwan. It also aims to leverage its expertise in hospitality, leisure travel, meetings, weddings and banquets to build business in Taiwan as well.

Taiwan is Japan’s third largest inbound market, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, after Korea and China. It is also among the top four destinations for Japanese tourists. In 2011, Taiwan and Japan signed an open skies agreement, which is expected to increase air traffic between the two countries and result in an increase in tourists to both countries.

“We see growing opportunities in Asia, and the Taiwan market is very important for us,” said Kazumasa Suezawa, Fujita Kanko’s president/CEO. “We have a 57-year history in the Japanese tourism industry, and offer some of Japan’s most upscale properties. We have always been fortunate to have many guests from other Asian countries. We are eager to increase global awareness of our properties to welcome more international travelers, including Taiwanese.”

The company opened its first overseas office in Shanghai in 2010. Its second one was opened in Seoul in July 2012. Fujita Kanko plans to continue building its Asian business base aggressively, and will use its overseas offices to maximize sales and marketing and business development efforts in the region, according to the company.

The company has more than 50 properties/facilities, including 28 mid-priced hotels throughout Japan in two chains: Gracery Hotels and Washington Hotels. Fujita Kanko, the owner of Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Chinzan-so, will rebrand the luxury property and start managing it as Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo on January 1.