Emiri Miyasaka and Maiko Itai, the japanese Miss Universe-candidates for 2009 and 2010, wednesday came to Bergen to finish a 7-days roundtrip in Fjord Norway. Along side them, japanese media!
Maiko Itai and Emiri Miyasaka has been on a roundtrip in Fjord Norway. This photo is shot at Bryggen in Bergen.
Photo: Linn Kjos Falkenberg, visitbergen.com
Maiko Itai and Emiri Miyasaka interviewed by norwegian TV2 at the fishmarket in Bergen.
Photo: Linn Kjos Falkenberg, visitbergen.com
- The media-attention this visit brings in Japan, appeals specially to younger women. This is important for Fjord Norway because in Japan, particularly young women are among those that are most likely to travel to Europe, says CEO of Fjord Norge AS - Fjord Norway, Kristian B. Jörgensen.
Scandinavian Tourist Board of Japan has been following Miyasaka and Itai on their journey. On their tour of the fjords they have been meeting with local representatives of the different travel destinations. Since arriving in Ålesund April 9th the japanese beauty pageants have visited Geiranger, Loen, Lærdal, Flåm, Lofthus, Voss before ending up in Bergen April 14th. The city has had direct flights from Toyko since 2008.
- During 2010 there will be at least eight direct flights between Bergen and Japan. 2009 was a tough year, but for us the japanese market has slowly started to grow again. For Fjord Norway we see a huge potential in the years to come, Jörgensen says.
TRIP HOME DELAYED
Maiko Itai and Emiri Miyasaka was supposed to return back to Japan 15th of April. But due to volcanic ash spreading from Iceland, all flights in Norway has been put on a hold. The ash from the volcanic activity in Iceland has grounded airplanes across Europe. Itai and Miyasaka could find themselves stuck in Bergen for several days. A break they don´t seem to mind.
- Since they came to Norway April 9th, they have had a really packed program. So it is my impression that they are quit satisfied with a few days off to relax in Bergen, says Saiko Kakizaki from Scandinavian Tourist Board Asia who has been their tour leader in Fjord Norway.
Saiko says both Maiko Itai and Emiri Miyasaka has had a great journey through Fjord Norway, and that they have been very impressed by the nature. The 2010-candidate for Miss Universe, Maiko Itai, has also taken an interest in norwegian architecture, specially finding small, old norwegian houses to be very impressive.
Read more:
• Emiri Miyasaka, Miss Universe Japan 2009
• Maiko Itai, Miss Universe Japan 2010
• Scandinavian Tourist Board - Asia
• Fjord Norway