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India and Japan have designated 2023 and 2024 as India-Japan Tourism Exchange Years, aiming to strengthen people-to-people connections and boost tourism between the two nations. This initiative serves as a vital bridge to promote cultural exchange, economic ties, and mutual understanding.
Tsuneya Katagiri, the Country Manager for India at All Nippon Airways (ANA), provides valuable insights into how ANA is contributing to the success of this initiative. Below are excerpts from his conversation with Japancalling.in, highlighting the airline's role in fostering closer ties between India and Japan during the Tourism Exchange Years.
How has ANA contributed to promoting tourism between India and Japan during the India-Japan Tourism Exchange Years (2023-2024)?
With daily operating flights from Delhi to Tokyo (Haneda), and 3 flights a week operating from Mumbai to Tokyo (Narita), ANA has contributed to both Indian tourism to Japan, and Japanese tourism to India.
In addition, with the support from JNTO, ANA has conducted many seminars to the Indian travel agents and DMCs to enhance the tourism to Japan, including joint seminars with local governments of Japan, e.g. Sapporo City and Toyama Prefecture, and participation in the OTM 2025.
What initiatives has ANA undertaken to simplify travel and enhance the passenger experience between India and Japan during these exchange years?
Along with providing 5-Star hospitality to every valued customer, ANA has introduced the following initiatives during the exchange years.
In addition to the 24 hour pre-order in-flight special meals, ANA now provides complimentary vegetarian meals for economy class passengers departing from India (Delhi/Mumbai) to Japan
ANA has expanded its international routes complimentary Wi-Fi service for its Business Class passengers, while Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers can now enjoy complimentary texting through ANA's Wi-Fi service
ANA continues to enhance the convenience of its digital services, including the renewal of the ANA App and timely information updates
In what ways does ANA Airlines support people-to-people exchange initiatives between India and Japan through its flight services? How does ANA encourage and facilitate educational or professional exchanges between the two nations during the designated years?
ANA considers that expanding people-to-people exchange between the two countries is one of the most important themes. In particular, we are making efforts to expand TITP (Technical Intern Training Program)/SSW(Specified Skilled Worker) in order to solve social issues of both countries such as shortage of job opportunities for young people in India, and lack of young people in Japan due to the declining birthrate and aging population. We have given presentations in various parts of Japan, to introduce the large number of high-quality young people of India. This has led to actual inspection of India's HR by many local governments, economic organizations, and industry associations, etc., out of which some have already started to accept Indians as TITP/SSW.
Can you elaborate on any partnerships or collaborations ANA has formed with travel agencies or cultural organizations to promote cultural exchange between India and Japan? What feedback have you received from passengers and stakeholders regarding the impact of ANA's Airlines' involvement in the India-Japan Tourism Exchange Years?
Over the exchange years, ANA has collaborated in many events and activities in India, many of them led by the Embassy of Japan, JNTO, JF, and JNTO to promote cultural exchange between the two countries in the Indian market as the biggest Japanese airline company in Japan, and all of the collaborations received positive feedbacks from the participants and stakeholders.
The following are some of the events we have participated in.
Japan Week 2023 at IIT Hyderabad
Coscon 2024 in Nagpur
MIFF(Mumbai International Film Festival) 2024 in Mumbai
Mela! Mela! Anime Japan 2024 in Delhi
Konnichiwa Japan 2024 in Delhi
CLICK! JAPAN PHOTO CONTEST 2023/2024
India-Japan Year of Tourism 2024 at the Embassy of India, Tokyo
What long-term strategies does ANA Airlines have in place to continue strengthening the tourism and cultural connections between India and Japan beyond the Tourism Exchange Years?
In the near future, we aim to strengthen the tourism and cultural connections between the two countries by increasing the number of flights between India and Japan, e.g. increasing the frequency of the Mumbai route, resuming the operation of the Chennai route, etc.
The airline’s long-term strategies include:
Expanding Flight Operations:
ANA plans to increase the frequency of its Mumbai-Tokyo route and resume operations on the Chennai-Tokyo route. These expansions will enhance connectivity and make travel more accessible for both leisure and business travelers.
Promoting Sustainable Tourism:
ANA aims to continue supporting cultural and educational exchanges, ensuring that the relationship between India and Japan remains vibrant and mutually beneficial. This includes ongoing collaboration with local governments, travel agencies, and cultural organizations.
Leveraging Technology:
ANA will continue to invest in digital innovations to improve the passenger experience, ensuring seamless travel and greater convenience for customers.
Conclusion: ANA’s Vision for India-Japan Ties Takes Flight
As the India-Japan Tourism Exchange Years (2023-2024) draw to a close, All Nippon Airways (ANA) stands out as one of the key architects in bridging the two nations, not just through its flights but through a shared vision of cultural exchange, economic collaboration, and mutual growth. Under the leadership of Tsuneya Katagiri, ANA’s Country Manager for India, the airline has gone beyond its role as a carrier, transforming into a catalyst for deeper connections between India and Japan.
But ANA’s work is far from over. With plans to increase flight frequencies, resume key routes, and continue supporting cultural and educational exchanges, the airline is laying the groundwork for a future where India and Japan are not just connected by air but by shared aspirations. In a world increasingly defined by borders, ANA is proving that the skies can be a powerful force for unity, understanding, and progress.
As the final chapter of the Tourism Exchange Years is written, one thing is clear: ANA’s wings have carried more than passengers, they’ve carried the promise of a stronger, more vibrant relationship between India and Japan. And that promise, much like ANA’s flights, is destined to soar even higher in the years to come.
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