Exploring a brave new world in Tokyo

October 16, 2019

The Dellar Davies team has just returned from Tokyo after organising and staging another successful Travel Convention for ABTA. Over 5,700 miles from the UK, Japan’s bustling metropolis proved to be the perfect location for this year’s event and provided a unique opportunity for delegates to explore a new culture, setting and way of thinking. 

With the business sessions based around the theme Brave New World, delegates heard from leading figures in Travel as well as external guest speakers as they shared their thoughts on adopting new approaches and daring to be brave in business. The sessions focused on key trends affecting the travel industry, including environmental concerns, geopolitical and social transformations, emerging innovations and changing consumer behaviours as well as recent events that have affected the sector, such as the sad demise of Thomas Cook. 

The three-day event took place at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, which offered great facilities, accommodation and fantastic views across Tokyo. The agenda also provided the chance to explore this ultimate multicity through social events and fundraising activities. Highlights included the Convention Supper Club at the Gonpachi Restaurant in Roppongi Hills – a bustling Japanese eatery, which is world-famous for being the restaurant in which Quentin Tarantino modelled one of his famous “Kill Bill” fight scenes, as well as a charity cycling tour of Tokyo. Delegates also enjoyed traditional Japanese entertainment at the Opening Ceremony, Welcome and Farewell Parties, including a Sake Barrel Ceremony “Kagami Biraki”, Japanese drumming, lion dancing, and a very special performance from award-winning dance group SIRO-A. 

As this was the first time that the Convention has been held in Asia, this year’s event offered a unique and memorable experience. It was a great success and we’re looking forward to next year’s Convention!