Kyoto ripe for increase in luxury market for 2014 with opening of Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

KYOTO - Kyoto Convention Bureau (KCB) has outlined its focus on attracting UK luxury travellers in 2014. This rationale is in conjunction with the opening of the five-star Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto in February, 2014.

The luxury-urban resort pays homage to the region’s cultural heritage and is well-located on the Kamogawa River, Nijho Ohashi, close to Kyoto’s popular downtown areas including Gion and Kawaramachi-dori, the city’s retail and entertainment district. The hotel’s guestrooms will offer picturesque views of the river and the Higashiyama Mountains.

Featuring 136 guest rooms with an average size of 50 square meters for standard rooms, The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto will have some of the largest in the city. It will also feature four dining options, banquet and meeting rooms, as well as a spa and other recreational facilities.

Tourism Representative, Rie Doi, Director of Tourism Promotion said: “Kyoto has always been a destination that is popular with luxury travellers with its ancient Ryokan, Michelin-starred cuisine and rich heritage. With the addition of the Ritz-Carlton to its hotel product in February 2014 and the Four Seasons Hotel, expected to open in 2015, we now have further capacity for guests. The investment by international luxury brands such as the Ritz-Carlton highlights Kyoto’s status as an international city of interest for luxury tourists.”

Victor Clavell, Vice President – Asia Pacific for The Ritz-Carlton said: “Kyoto is one of Japan’s cultural windows to the world and we are proud to unveil a property that is sensitive to the 1,000 years of history and make a contribution to the rejuvenation and growth of the tourism business in Japan.”

While in keeping with the traditions and cultural sensitivity of Kyoto, The Ritz-Carlton will be a subtle and inspired juxtaposition of modernity and respect for Japanese tradition, incorporating the work of internationally famous Japanese design houses such as Spin Studio. The architects and designers have gone to great lengths to preserve the traditional Meiji house and courtyard into the architectural structure of the building.

Exceptionally rich in beauty, history, spirituality and culture, Kyoto draws 50 million visitors annually to experience the city and its 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kyoto is now very much must-see destination for sophisticated global travellers who are attracted to the city for its quintessential Japanese experience. With visitors to Japan from the UK already up 3% in 2013 from pre-earthquake levels, Kyoto’s popularity, product and breadth of activities available seems to be only likely to increase.

General Manager of the The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto Mr Yuji Tanaka commented: “I am privileged to be entrusted with the leadership of this incredibly high-profile opening for The Ritz-Carlton which will complement the exceptional architecture and heritage of Kyoto. Our entry to the market will help to draw sophisticated global travellers who are attracted the city for a quintessentially Japanese experience.”

Sourced: TravelDailyNews