#Japan #Inbound Tourism #Sapporo #Hokkaido #Tobu Top Tours

The Establishment of Hokkaido Inbound Center

In a significant development for the tourism sector, Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd. has announced the establishment of the Hokkaido Inbound Center, set to commence operations on January 1, 2026. This center aims to respond to both customer and regional expectations by creating a specialized system designed to contribute to the sustainable growth of the inbound tourism market in Japan.

Background of the Establishment

Hokkaido’s inbound market is crucial, with a projected consumption target of 1.2 trillion yen by 2030, marking it as a vital area for growth. The necessity to diversify into high added-value markets such as adventure travel (AT) and strengthen collaboration with local government has never been more urgent. Therefore, Tobu Top Tours recognized the need to establish a specialized sales organization capable of managing new business areas that require high expertise, aiming for the differentiation and uniqueness of Hokkaido's inbound tourism.

Purpose of the Center

The primary objective of the Hokkaido Inbound Center is to drive the inbound business while contributing to solving community issues and fostering sustainable development. By transcending the boundaries of existing businesses, the center will build a next-generation inbound model that focuses on distinguishing and diversifying inbound tourism originating from local areas, aiming to create a self-sustaining framework that fosters new interactions and revenue streams for the regional community.

Overview of Operations

The Hokkaido Inbound Center will develop a network through external collaboration, operating under the framework of “Team Tobu Top Tours.” By leveraging the company's planning and proposal-making capabilities, the center will establish an implementable structure enriched by external specialized knowledge and practical cooperation. This shift from sporadic coordination of individual projects to a permanent organization will encourage exploration into various fields. Under this strong network, a variety of initiatives, including adventure travel, will be integrated into comprehensive developmental strategies.

Key External Partnerships

At its inception, the Hokkaido Inbound Center has outlined significant partnerships with stakeholders such as:

• - Connectrip: A corporation focused on promoting tourism experiences in the Okhotsk region, represented by Mami Dozan.
• - North Bicycle Hokkaido Co., Ltd.: Led by CEO Chikara Nakamura.
• - North Horizon Co., Ltd.: Governed by CEO Yoichi Yamaguchi.

New Organizational Structure

• - Name: Hokkaido Inbound Center
• - Established: January 1, 2026
• - Location: 7th Floor, Park East Sapporo, 1-3 Minami 1-jo Higashi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido.

Through the establishment of this center, Tobu Top Tours aims to explore new approaches for inbound business tailored to the local community and to extend successful outcomes nationwide, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the society.