Sapporo City appoints Global Destinations to promote Sapporo in association with All Nippon Airways

Global Destinations, a leading destination marketing company, announced a strategic collaboration with Sapporo City to promote Sapporo City, Hokkaido as a top travel destination for Indian tourists along with All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline.  This collaboration comes at a time when Japan is witnessing a surge in demand among Indian travellers, with Sapporo being positioned as a must-visit locale.

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, located in the north of Japan, which is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, vibrant culture, and world-class powder snow. The collaboration aims to introduce more Indian travellers to the unique experiences the city offers, including its famous snow festivals, gourmet cuisine, and scenic landscapes.

Tomonori Aoyama, Director General, Tourism & MICE Promotion Department, Sapporo City, also welcomed the collaboration, noting, “Sapporo is proud to collaborate with All Nippon Airways and Global Destinations to showcase the beauty and culture of our city to the Indian market. We look forward to sharing Sapporo’s magnificent nature, beautiful four colourful seasons, and delicious food and unique cultures with Indian travellers. This partnership is an important step in building a strong relationship between our city and the growing number of Indian tourists visiting Japan.”

Speaking on this exciting partnership, Shigeru Ishimoto, General Manager, ANA Mumbai, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Sapporo City, Global Destinations to promote Sapporo as a premier travel destination for Indian tourists. Japan is seeing tremendous growth in interest from India, and we believe Sapporo, with its natural beauty and cultural richness, will resonate strongly with Indian travellers. ANA is committed to providing exceptional service and seamless connections between India and Japan, ensuring that travellers experience Japanese hospitality from the moment they board our flights.”

This partnership will leverage ANA’s extensive flight network and Global Destinations’ expertise in destination marketing to educate and create tailored travel experiences for Indians looking to explore Japan beyond well-known cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.

Pranav Kapadia, Founder and Director, Global Destinations, shared his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “Sapporo is a hidden gem that we are eager to bring to the forefront for Indian travellers. From its snow-capped mountains to its rich culinary offerings, Sapporo has something for everyone. With All Nippon Airways’ impeccable service and connectivity, and Global Destinations’ expertise in curating memorable experiences, we are confident this partnership will significantly enhance the appeal of Sapporo for the Indian market.”

The growing fascination of Indians with Japan stems from the country’s blend of traditional and modern experiences, ranging from cultural immersion in historic temples to high-tech shopping and entertainment districts. With the Indian outbound travel market expanding, Japan has become a prime destination due to its rich heritage, natural beauty, and unique experiences, drawing tourists in increasing numbers.

Adding to the momentum of this campaign, it was revealed that a highly anticipated big-budget Bollywood movie, produced by Amir Khan Productions, is set for release in 2025. The movie will showcase the city’s stunning landscapes, further boosting Sapporo’s appeal among Indian audiences.

The collaboration between Global Destinations and ANA will involve a series of promotional activities, including networking with the travel trade, social media marketing campaigns, and a series of webinars to educate the travel fraternity and ensure Sapporo remains top-of-mind for Indian travellers.