New Destinations Tokyo 2026

Japan is one of the defining success stories of modern tourism. In barely a decade it has gone from a niche destination to the trip everyone is taking — record arrivals, a weak yen, and a cultural pull no marketing budget could manufacture. Which leads many to ask: how did the country achieve this, and what comes next?

On December 1, 2026, Newsweek brings its New Destinations to Tokyo for the first time, in partnership with The Worldfolio.

At HAPPO-EN — a premium hospitality venue set around a centuries-old garden in the heart of the city — 150 senior leaders from hotels, airlines, railways, travel platforms, MICE and destination organisations gather for a day of discussion.

With Japan as the anchor and global tourism as the lens, the conference takes on the themes shaping the Asia-Pacific region and the wider travel sector: managing growth without losing authenticity, spreading visitors beyond the headline routes, building technology that serves hospitality rather than replaces it, and forging partnerships that connect destinations in both directions.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Doors Open & Registration

10:00 AM – 10:10 AM

Opening Remarks — Newsweek

10:10 AM – 10:20 AM

Opening Remarks — Happo-en

10:20 AM – 11:10 AM

Japan as a Leading Global Travel Destination

11:10 AM – 11:30 AM

Networking Break

11:30 AM – 11:40 AM

Keynote Address

11:40 AM – 12:30 PM

Regional Destinations: Beyond the Golden Route

12:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Buffet Lunch and Guided Happo-en Garden Visit

2:30 PM – 2:40 PM

Keynote Address

2:40 PM – 3:30 PM

The Future of Tourism Technology

3:30 PM – 3:50 PM

Networking Break

3:50 PM – 4:00 PM

Keynote address

4:00 PM – 4:50 PM

Will Japan Become the Next MICE Tourism Leader?

4:50 PM – 5:00 PM

Keynote Address

5:00 PM – 5:50 PM

Connecting Japanese Travelers to Global Destinations

5:50 PM – 6:00 PM

Closing Note from the Newsweek Editor

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Networking Cocktail

Time Zone: (UTC+09:00) Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo []

Structured, curated meetings for partners, speakers and invited guests — moving beyond informal networking.

Day 2 Format
The second day will be dedicated to business matchmaking and curated meetings for partners, speakers and invited guests.

The objective is to move beyond informal networking by creating a structured environment where selected partners can meet relevant participants according to their commercial and strategic priorities.

How the Business Matchmaking Programme Works

Before the conference, selected partners share their target priorities — specific companies, institutions or guest categories they would like to meet.
Newsweek and The Worldfolio then support meeting facilitation: reviewing the confirmed delegate list, identifying relevant matches, contacting both sides, and arranging meetings.
On December 2, The Worldfolio will provide a venue where the meeting will be held. On-site Japanese to English interpreters will also be arranged. Venue options include:
- Happo-En
- The Worldfolio Tokyo office (Tennozu Isle)
- Tokyo office of participating company

Early Bird Price	until October 31, 2026	$495
Standard Price		$795

Join us for New Destinations Tokyo 2026