No.80 Establishment of the Inagi City Tourism Association

On May 31, 2018, the inaugural general meeting was held, and on the following day, June 1, 2018, the incorporation was completed, leading to the establishment of the Inagi City Tourism Association.
Tourism in the city has been one of the important policies I have worked on as a promise since I took office as Mayor.
The main activities carried out over the past seven years include organizational reforms to establish a tourism department, the enactment of a regulation for the recruitment of fixed-term employees to appoint a tourism department head with private sector experience, the creation of a tourism map, the holding of tourism walking tours, the construction of the antenna shop "Inagi Base Pair Terrace" to introduce the city, the delegation of management of this facility to the private sector instead of direct management by the City Hall, the formulation of the Inagi City Tourism Basic Plan, the installation of Inagi Free Wi-Fi, the multilingualization of the city website, the attraction of hotels, the expansion of Friendship Cities, and the holding of exchange events.
The next step was the establishment of the tourism association.
In the fiscal year 2017, the "Inagi City Tourism Association Establishment Study Council" was launched, where we investigated precedents from other cities and discussed the organization and functions of the tourism association, as well as the schedule for its establishment, culminating in a report and recommendations in February 2018.

In the fiscal year 2018, we strengthened the membership of this council and established the "Inagi City Tourism Association Preparatory Committee" to discuss the draft articles of incorporation, details of operations, securing members, and the designated management contract for the Pair Terrace, leading to the establishment of the general meeting.
The purpose of the tourism association is to utilize local resources such as the nature, scenery, culture, history, and agricultural and livestock products of Inagi City to promote tourism business, enhance the city's appeal, widely disseminate this to both domestic and international audiences, encourage visitors to Inagi City, increase the population of exchange, and contribute to regional revitalization, enrichment of citizens' lives, and the development of local culture.
The tourism association is a general incorporated association and is expected to receive subsidies from the city, but it is a private corporation. The officers include individuals recommended by organizations such as the Commerce and Industry Association, Agricultural Cooperative, Federation of Arts and Culture Organizations, Citizen Activity Support Center, and Junior Chamber International, as well as companies like Yomiuriland, JR East, Keio Corporation, hotel operators, and Tokyo Verdy, among others, and I am also listed as an advisor.
Furthermore, the president is Dr. Taku Samejima, an associate professor of the Human Comprehensive Studies and Tourism Culture Program established at Komazawa Women's University in April of this year. Dr. Samejima holds a master's degree in tourism from the Graduate School of Rikkyo University and is a former backpacker who has traveled to 60 countries. Before taking up teaching, he was active as a theme travel planning producer for eco-tours at HIS Co., Ltd., and is a promising talent expected to contribute to future activities.
Additionally, due to this connection, on June 8, 2018, a "Tripartite Agreement for Tourism Community Development between Inagi City, Komazawa Women's University, and the Inagi City Tourism Association" was concluded. We hope that the unity of the three parties will further promote tourism.
Although the establishment of the tourism association is a culmination of a series of foundational developments, I believe that Inagi City, as a latecomer in tourism, has finally reached the starting line.
In the future, it is important for more businesses, commercial operators, and citizens to participate as members, and to become a tourism association that everyone can enjoy using, so we appreciate your support.