Enabling regional growth of the hot spring industry and how to optimise thermal waters as a natural energy resource was the theme of the first-ever International Onsen Summit held in Japan in May. The underlying question some 1,000 global delegates gathered to discuss – what can operators in the global hot spring industry do to help further develop the sector?
Calls to action An international cross section of global experts led talks and provided insights on growth potential. Yolanda Perdomo, former director UNWTO Affiliate Members Programme; Asa Brynjolfsdottir, director of research and development at Iceland’s Blue Lagoon; and David James, director of tourism, Bath UK to name but a few.
Overall, their calls to action were: • to emphasise the benefits of bathing in hot springs more widely • to cultivate hot spring tourism growth • to expand academic and industry research proving the benefits of thermal waters • to increase geothermal energy use in new areas, such as in food growth and cooking.
Hot springs tourism Cultivating growth in the hot springs tourism sector maps effortlessly with Japan’s national strategy.
As a volcanically active country, it boasts up to 3,000 hot springs and thermal bathing facilities – known locally as onsen. Beppu, the host town, is acknowledged as Japan’s unofficial onsen capital based on its number of hot spring sources and the ‘gush volume’ of the water. Other, perhaps more famous, onsen spots in the country include Kusatsu and Hakone.
Tourism in Japan has increased dramatically in recent years, rising from 8.4 million in 2012 to 28.7 million in 2017. This is largely due to a relaxation in visa restrictions and a weakening of the Yen. The goal is to increase international tourism footfall to 60 million by 2030. In the more immediate future, the hosting of the Rugby World Cup next year, the Olympic Games in 2020 and a bid to host Expo 2025 means the country is well placed and keen for the benefit of tourism to be felt beyond the key cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
What greater opportunity could there be for hot spring operators? Certainly, residents and facilities in Beppu are expecting a significant increase in tourists as the town becomes involved in these world-stage events. For less-endorsed destinations to successfully capture the burgeoning visitor market, it was agreed that promotion and ease of access is highlighted.
Back on a global scale, it’s clear from summit talks and discussions that success in the hot spring industry is seen as a collaborative effort between public and private sector.
Much food for thought for the next event which is likely to take place at a similar time in the country in 2019.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2018 issue 3
Promotional feature: Terres d’Afrique - Out of Africa
Luxury ethical spa brand Terres d’Afrique has seen rapid expansion in its first years of business. CEO and co-founder Stephan Helary explains how the company has now transitioned to creating bespoke spa experiences from concept to completion
Promotional feature: The Madison Collection - Holistic sustainability
The Madison Collection is committed to creating high-quality hotel and spa linens while at the same time protecting the environment, promoting workplace wellness and supporting clean water rights. Owner Charmaine T Lang and Gilad Lang, vice president of business development, tell us more
Wellness: Staying well
Spa Business takes a look at how some of the world’s biggest hotel operators are addressing the new trend of ‘wellness rooms’
Promotional feature: Biologique Recherche - Pioneering Personalisation
More than 40 years ago, Parisian skincare brand Biologique Recherche was founded, with a focus on research and personalisation. Co-chairs Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme discuss what’s made the brand so successful – and where the future will take them
Thermal spa: Mountain therapy
Bad Ragaz’s new CEO Patrick Vogler tells Kath Hudson about his new ambitions for the famous Swiss spa resort
Enabling regional growth of the hot spring industry and how to optimise thermal waters as a natural energy resource was the theme of the first-ever International Onsen Summit held in Japan in May. The underlying question some 1,000 global delegates gathered to discuss – what can operators in the global hot spring industry do to help further develop the sector?
Calls to action An international cross section of global experts led talks and provided insights on growth potential. Yolanda Perdomo, former director UNWTO Affiliate Members Programme; Asa Brynjolfsdottir, director of research and development at Iceland’s Blue Lagoon; and David James, director of tourism, Bath UK to name but a few.
Overall, their calls to action were: • to emphasise the benefits of bathing in hot springs more widely • to cultivate hot spring tourism growth • to expand academic and industry research proving the benefits of thermal waters • to increase geothermal energy use in new areas, such as in food growth and cooking.
Hot springs tourism Cultivating growth in the hot springs tourism sector maps effortlessly with Japan’s national strategy.
As a volcanically active country, it boasts up to 3,000 hot springs and thermal bathing facilities – known locally as onsen. Beppu, the host town, is acknowledged as Japan’s unofficial onsen capital based on its number of hot spring sources and the ‘gush volume’ of the water. Other, perhaps more famous, onsen spots in the country include Kusatsu and Hakone.
Tourism in Japan has increased dramatically in recent years, rising from 8.4 million in 2012 to 28.7 million in 2017. This is largely due to a relaxation in visa restrictions and a weakening of the Yen. The goal is to increase international tourism footfall to 60 million by 2030. In the more immediate future, the hosting of the Rugby World Cup next year, the Olympic Games in 2020 and a bid to host Expo 2025 means the country is well placed and keen for the benefit of tourism to be felt beyond the key cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
What greater opportunity could there be for hot spring operators? Certainly, residents and facilities in Beppu are expecting a significant increase in tourists as the town becomes involved in these world-stage events. For less-endorsed destinations to successfully capture the burgeoning visitor market, it was agreed that promotion and ease of access is highlighted.
Back on a global scale, it’s clear from summit talks and discussions that success in the hot spring industry is seen as a collaborative effort between public and private sector.
Much food for thought for the next event which is likely to take place at a similar time in the country in 2019.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2018 issue 3
Promotional feature: Terres d’Afrique - Out of Africa
Luxury ethical spa brand Terres d’Afrique has seen rapid expansion in its first years of business. CEO and co-founder Stephan Helary explains how the company has now transitioned to creating bespoke spa experiences from concept to completion
Promotional feature: The Madison Collection - Holistic sustainability
The Madison Collection is committed to creating high-quality hotel and spa linens while at the same time protecting the environment, promoting workplace wellness and supporting clean water rights. Owner Charmaine T Lang and Gilad Lang, vice president of business development, tell us more
Wellness: Staying well
Spa Business takes a look at how some of the world’s biggest hotel operators are addressing the new trend of ‘wellness rooms’
Promotional feature: Biologique Recherche - Pioneering Personalisation
More than 40 years ago, Parisian skincare brand Biologique Recherche was founded, with a focus on research and personalisation. Co-chairs Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme discuss what’s made the brand so successful – and where the future will take them
Thermal spa: Mountain therapy
Bad Ragaz’s new CEO Patrick Vogler tells Kath Hudson about his new ambitions for the famous Swiss spa resort
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
TechnoAlpin Indoor TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
RMA Ltd RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company
that can design, build and produce from a
greenfield site upw [more...]
instantprint We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded
in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
QubicaAMF UK QubicaAMF is the largest and most
innovative bowling equipment provider with
600 employees worldwi [more...]
