Global sales director John Warr said that for the past four consecutive months, Japan had been Wendy Wu’s "most in-demand destination" for both 2021 and 2022.
The collection’s 15 itineraries feature departures throughout 2021 and 2022, and include what the operator claims is the UK’s first three-week fully inclusive rail tour of the country, taking in its three main islands – Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu.
Wendy Wu is offering a range of special offers on 2021 Japan departures, including free upgrades with various airlines and savings of up to £500pp on March and April cherry blossom departures.
It is also offering free single supplements for solo travellers, and a range of dedicated solo departures.
The operator will host a special Japan training and educational webinar at 11am on 18 August; any agents wishing to attend should see head to Wendy Wu’s agents Facebook page.
Japan is currently on the UK’s safe travel list, with a quarantine-free travel corridor and exemption from the Foreign Office’s global advisory against all non-essential international travel.
Warr said there was confidence in travel to Japan "unlike any other destination". He also highlighted the country’s investment in infrastructure, services and accommodation ahead of the now 2021 Olympic Games.
"The next two years are the perfect time to visit and to benefit from these new and impressive facilities," said Warr.
He added the operator’s decision to wave solo supplements and create several "unique, dedicated solo group tours" followed a significant increase in for solo travel options in Japan.
Highlights from the new collection include:
- Japan by Rail (21 days, from £8,990pp): a three island, fully inclusive rail tour of the country, taking in capital Tokyo, Kyoto’s temples, Mt Fuji, the snow-capped mountains of Sapporo, and opportunities to spot the region’s snow monkeys;
- Experience Japan (11 days, from £5,590pp): designed as an introduction to Japan for first time visitors, besides visiting Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Mt Fuji, this itinerary features several immersive experience, including a Mt Fuji lake cruise and a spiritual walk through the Arashiyama bamboo forest;
- Japan Uncovered (17 days, from £6,990pp): this itinerary aims to cover Japan’s largest island Honshu, featuring travel to Hiroshima, Takayama, Kanazawa and the Japanese Alps before winding up in Tokyo. May departures include the Shibazakura cherry blossom festival near Mt Fuji, while selected May and September departures include entry to a traditional sumo wrestling tournament;
- Jewels of Japan (11 days, from £5,299pp): the classic Japan tour featuring Kyoto and a visit to the city’s Gion geisha district, a bullet train journey to Hiroshima, and a boat trip to Miyajima island to see its iconic Itsukushima shrine.
Dedicated solo departures, limited to 18 travellers, are available on all tours, and come with private room accommodation, airport transfers and lounge access, and welcome drinks.
Holidays can be tailor-made, while extensions and stopovers include trips to South Korea, China and Dubai.
