Currently, there are existing connections from Delhi & Mumbai to Tokyo, and their domestic network within Japan for Indian travellers. ANA operates direct daily flights between Delhi-Haneda and Mumbai-Narita. However, flights to Sapporo are yet to commence. When asked about this by T3, Tsuneya Katagiri, ANA’s Country Manager for India, emphasised the need to generate demand for Sapporo among Indian travellers to facilitate the launch of direct flights. He expressed optimism that ANA’s collaboration with Amir Khan Production will significantly boost tourism numbers.
Sapporo City, in collaboration with All Nippon Airways (ANA), recently hosted exclusive networking events in Delhi and Mumbai to spotlight Sapporo as a must-visit destination for Indian travellers. These events, aimed at strengthening Indo-Japanese tourism ties, brought together tour operators, travel agents, and industry leaders to explore unique opportunities, including a collaboration with Aamir Khan Productions which is expected to boost tourist footfalls to the city.
The forthcoming promotion of Sapporo’s tourism potential tied to a much-anticipated movie under the Amir Khan Production banner was the event’s highlight. The movie, filmed partially in Sapporo, is expected to shine a spotlight on the city’s scenic landscapes and cultural offerings. Notably, All Nippon is the official airline partner for the Amir Khan Production film set to release in 2025.
This collaboration reflects Sapporo’s growing appeal as a backdrop for international films, further boosting its tourism profile. The events began with an engaging opening speech by Tomonori Aoyama, who represented Sapporo City, offering attendees a warm welcome and sharing insights into Sapporo’s appeal as a year-round destination. Following this was a dedicated Sapporo presentation by Yoko Nakanishi and Lara Horin, who took attendees on a virtual tour of Sapporo.
Representatives from ANA shared an in-depth presentation on ANA’s inflight products & services, excellent connections from Delhi & Mumbai to Tokyo, and their domestic network within Japan for Indian travellers. Currently, ANA operates direct daily flights between Delhi-Haneda and Mumbai-Narita. However, flights to Sapporo are yet to commence.
When asked about this by T3, Tsuneya Katagiri, ANA’s Country Manager for India, emphasised the need to generate demand for Sapporo among Indian travellers to facilitate the launch of direct flights. He expressed optimism that ANA’s collaboration ahead of this movie release will significantly boost tourism numbers. As Sapporo emerges as a preferred destination, Katagiri reaffirmed ANA’s commitment to providing seamless connectivity and exceptional services to Indian tourists exploring Japan’s unique offerings.
ANA General Manager Mumbai, Shigeru Ishimoto expressed his delight at the successful partnership between ANA & Aamir Khan Productions with unflinching support from Sapporo City. His vision is to put Sapporo on the map for Indian travelers, thus going beyond the Tokyo/Osaka Golden Route.
The events received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, who expressed excitement about adding Sapporo to their offerings for Indian tourists. Tomonori Aoyama, representing Sapporo City, conveyed that they were delighted by the enthusiastic response from India’s travel industry. “Sapporo has so much to offer, and we are confident that Indian travellers will fall in love with its charm. This event marks a significant step in bringing Sapporo closer to the Indian market.”
Pranav Kapadia, Founder and Director, Global Destinations commented on the successful turnout and fruitful discussions, saying, “Our mission has always been to bridge destinations with potential markets. We are thrilled to see the interest in Sapporo and look forward to working with our Indian travel trade to make this destination more accessible and appealing to Indian travellers.”
As collaborations between Sapporo City, ANA, and the Indian travel fraternity grow stronger, the city is poised to become a favourite on the international tourism map.
