DUBAI — Kyoto City has opened a promotional office in Dubai to encourage Gulf nationals and residents to visit Japan's ancient capital for holidays and leisure. The opening of the office makes it the first to be opened in the Middle East by a Japanese tourism authority. Kyoto is Japan's ancient imperial capital, home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites and most of Japan's cultural and traditional arts and crafts traditions. “It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we are the first Japanese tourism authority to open a permanent promotional office in the Middle East,” said Yoshikazu Kuki, Director of Kyoto City Tourism & MICE Office. “While Kyoto is an ancient city, our outlook is extremely modern. We warmly welcome visitors from the Middle East to experience our unique culture, shopping, sites, activities and cuisine, as well as our internationally renowned “omotenashi” hospitality.” To make Kyoto even more hospitable to Muslim travelers, Kyoto City has been working closely with its local tourism and hotel industry to ensure cultural and religious needs are well taken care of. Local seminars have been held regularly to educate the travel industry on the importance of providing Halal and Muslim-friendly cuisine and other services and amenities that would be appreciated by guests from the region. In late 2013, a select group of leading UAE travel agents were invited to Kyoto to experience what the city has to offer as well as speak to the local tour operators and hoteliers to provide their expertise and advice on how to cater for Middle Eastern guests. Kuki added: “After a long investigative, consultative and training process supervised by Kyoto Muslim Association, Kyoto is now trying to prepare for welcoming Muslim guests.” He said Knoto has launched a special online Muslim Friendly Kyoto website http://www.kyoto.travel/muslim_friendly_kyoto1.html which is available in English, Arabic, Bahasa Malaysian and Turkish. “There visitors can find out the location of our city Mosque, Muslim friendly hotels, restaurants offering Halal dining and much more,” he said. – SG
