SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After nearly five years of hard work on both sides of the Pacific, All Nippon Airways (ANA) is poised to launch new flights between Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Tokyo's Narita airport on January 11, 2013.
Photos accompanying this release are available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=16047
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=16048
"We are very excited about the new flights linking Silicon Valley with Tokyo again," said David Vossbrink, San Jose's Communications Director, "Silicon Valley businesses and travelers look forward to the great service and convenience ANA will offer."
Many Japanese companies such as Hitachi, Panasonic, Sony and Toshiba are located close to the airport, directly benefitting from the new ease of travel; though part of this route demand is demographically driven, as San Jose's Asian population is the 3rd largest in the United States, per 2010's census.
In a wider scope, Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) learned Tokyo is a top priority international destination for Silicon Valley travelers, either as a final destination or routing stop to further Asian locations, according to Bena Chang. SVLG, led by CEO Carl Guardino, has been a major driving force in efforts to bring expanded air service here.
Last year, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, Guardino and 25 CEOs from top Silicon Valley entities including Cisco, eBay, Adobe, Brocade and Novellus, enthusiastically committed to support the expansion as a win-win for all.
In a recent interview, Guardino summarized, "Time is money and it is tremendously inefficient for Silicon Valley CEOs and their employees to drive past the San Jose airport on their way to SFO to suffer through inevitable delays that are based on weather."
State of the art, luxury-filled, Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" planes, infused with layers of new Japanese technology and ANA customizations, will provide the flights with extraordinary passenger comfort, beginning with the inaugural flight January 11, 2013.
Silicon Valley and San Jose saw the need and value of an expanded, business friendly, high tech airport to support the thousands of companies close to SJC. After gathering an investment of $1.3 billion to lay this important foundation supporting the region's business health, the new airport was completed in 2010.
Just these few new ANA flights will add $77.7 million annually to the local economy, according to Rosemary Barnes, Communications Manager at the airport.
"ANA's nonstop international flight helps drive two-way trade and investment, critical to the economies of Japan and the San Jose region," explained Barnes. "San Jose is the eighth largest U.S. exporter to Japan, and this new flight will facilitate even stronger growth."
Once Japan's business travelers arrive in Silicon Valley, many will be headed to Sand Hill Road investor meetings as the two nations journey into new dimensions of technology and advancement. Utilizing this new, elegant bridge across the water, the new ANA routes will help facilitate Japan's rising entrepreneurial spirit.
"Though we here in Silicon Valley are literally embedded with all types of technology, Skype®, email, text message, websites and social media, nothing substitutes for face to face personal meeting," says Linda Apichell, General Manager of Hotel Los Gatos and Spa.
"A critical part of a successful business trip and meeting is selecting a comfortable, welcoming venue, fine-tuned to champion the business traveler's comfort and needs to pause, refresh, regroup and recharge," continued Apichell. "When planning the next strategic move with investors or product development, a secure, professionally managed meeting space with flexible configuration for breakouts and presentations can be key to pulling all the minute transaction details together for a successful deal."
"Located just 14 minutes from Mineta San Jose International Airport, our hotel is always ready to fill that need," noted Apichell. "Our Mediterranean sophistication blends with California charm to create a hotel reminiscent of a private villa, Silicon Valley's premier luxury hotel address."
Located at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Hotel Los Gatos and Spa is just a short hop from hyper-paced Silicon Valley. Sumptuous appointments, the warm hospitality of the enthusiastic staff and even a popular Michelin-rated Dio Deka restaurant onsite combine to provide the business traveler an elegant yet comfortable, reliable and friendly home base to return to on each Silicon Valley visit.
The online Request for Proposal (RFP) from the #1 Trip Advisor rated property is all that is needed to plan your special business or social event. Contact Jan McGreevy at Jan@HotelLosGatos.com or 408-335-1713.
Yokoso! Welcome to our Japanese guests!
The Hotel Los Gatos logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12514
