| # | Author | Message |
11
| davewasbaloo
Thu 5/1/2008 10:24p | I think you are right X. Just like there are shed loads of flights to India and Pakestan from the UK, but not many other southern asian nations. |
12
| Liberty Belle
Thu 5/1/2008 10:41p | We wanted to go to Tokyo in 2005 (our travel agent wanted us to do an 'around the world' style flight which meant it would have been cheaper to fly to the US via Tokyo) but when we mentioned Tokyo Disneyland, they had virtually no information about it. Even the Japanese information brochure really didn't mention it, which I thought was crazy. The funny thing is HKDL is being advertised a fair bit here, at airports and on TV. We ended up not going to Tokyo because the cheaper flight wasn't available when we needed to travel anyway, but I was kind of relieved because it seemed like getting the information we needed was going to be pretty hard! |
13
| Malin
Fri 5/2/2008 2:01a |
<<< I'm wondering if they marketed a lot to Korea maybe? Or China? I could imagine some cheap package tours considering the flight is not very long at all and Osaka has its' own international airport. >>>
I would imagine quite a bit of that 10 % is from Korea and China. Its all certainly people from Asia here, but it does seem to be working for them. Of course in USJ case trying to rely on too many foreigners could come back and hurt them down the line. South Korea for instance is opening a Universal Studios in 2012. Who's going to want to visit Japan when you have one sitting right on your doorstep that not only will cater to South Korean's but also will be a cheaper alternative to Chinese tourist. |
14
| TDR_Fan
Fri 5/2/2008 2:34a | I have several Chinese (and Taiwanese) friends who make biannual trips to Japan. They seem to think it's a better value than South Korea due to the distinct blend of cultures and overwhelming historical sights. Besides, Japan is only about 40-60 minutes more by plane. |
15
| gurgitoy2
Fri 5/2/2008 7:25a | I wonder if OLC could finally start to advertise with the rest of the Disney parks. Since opening, TDL has been very isolated from the others, and there is little information availible to those outside Japan. If OLC were to let themselves be added into the marketing for the rest of the Disney resorts, I wonder if that would have any impact. This would also mean extending the same kinds of services that the other parks have too. Like reservation systems, a proper park-hopper option, travel information, and such. I don't know if it would help, but I don't know that it would hurt either...to get more worldwide exposure. I can't tell you how many times I've mentioned to someone that there is a Disney resort in Japan, and people had no clue! |
16
| Roger55
Fri 5/2/2008 10:40a | I would think that for most "normal" people, a foriegn Disney desitination is something you do IF you happen to be visiting the area. Besides the few Disney fans, I don't think a lot of people decide to go to Japan, Hong Kong or France just to go visit a Disney park.
This is the reason why I don't think OLC does not promote the park much outside of the country.
I think a lot of us here have just a slightly different perspective on things because we are all Disney fans. I don't think that our way of thinking applies to the majority of the people in the world. |
17
| SuperDry
Fri 5/2/2008 11:10a | One issue in marketing TDR to other Asian nations is that of travel restrictions. People from mainland China (but not Hong Kong or Taiwan) need a visa from Japan in order to visit, as well as an exit visa from China. I have no idea how difficult it is to get both of these, but it's almost certainly something that involves an organized tour of some sort.
South Korea was the same way where its citizens were required to get a visa to visit Japan, but this changed during the co-hosting of the World Cup a few years ago. I know that HKDL markets itself in South Korea, and I would assume it's just a matter of OLC deciding that it wants to do so as well. Although, is it possible that there's a clause in the licensing agreement with TWDC that prevents OLC from actively marketing TDR outside of Japan? |
18
| leemac
Fri 5/2/2008 12:44p | <<Although, is it possible that there's a clause in the licensing agreement with TWDC that prevents OLC from actively marketing TDR outside of Japan?>>
There isn't which is why WDAJ is pushing for OLC to start marketing outside Japan - it will happen this year. WDAJ are just trying to educate OLC on how to conduct foreign marketing - their core demographic is ageing and quickly - if they want to continue to get 18-22m guests per annum they need to look further afield. One thing that you will probably like - an English-language website where you can make reservations. :-) |
19
| Mr X
Fri 5/2/2008 6:00p | Interesting.
I would think though, that it would go against TWDC's interests if both Hong Kong and Tokyo Disney are actively marketing to a place like Korea??
I hope they DON'T continue to get so many visitors...it's too crowded and I wants the parks all to myself!! ;) |
20
| Mr X
Fri 5/2/2008 6:07p | Another piece of the puzzle here is the fact that Japan is not a very popular country for tourism, if my facts are correct.
So they could advertise Tokyo Disneyland til the cows come home, but if people aren't interested in seeing Japan (something I can't quite understand, but I suppose it's the image of Japanese people as closed off and not very receptive to visitors) I don't see how it would help all that much. |
