Dive Expands Local Recruitment Efforts in India and Sri Lanka for Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort

Dive Group, a Tokyo-based company specializing in staffing for tourism facilities, held recruitment events in India and Sri Lanka on July 6 and July 8, 2026, respectively. In partnership with Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort, the events aimed to hire skilled workers under specific technical visas. A total of 20 candidates were successfully selected: 12 from India and 8 from Sri Lanka. This initiative marks an expansion of Dive's recruitment efforts, following a successful event in Jakarta, Indonesia, in September 2025, where 14 individuals were hired.

Background

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization's recent report, the number of foreign visitors to Japan reached record highs in May 2026, with India showing a remarkable 31.3% increase from the previous year, totaling 56,500 visitors. The overall numbers for January to May 2026 also increased by 22.2% compared to the previous year, driven by new flights and expanded connections between Japan and India. This growing influx of visitors has emphasized the need for skilled workers in the hospitality sector, leading to a greater reliance on foreign talent. As of December 2025, the number of foreign workers with specific skills in Japan reached approximately 390,296, reflecting a significant increase from June of the same year.

Dive is actively addressing this shortage in the tourism and lodging industries by not only providing domestic staff but also facilitating the local recruitment of skilled foreign workers.

Recruitment Event Details

India Event

- Date: July 6, 2026
- Location: New Delhi, India
- Participating Language School: Japan EduTech
- Number of Candidates Hired: 12

Sri Lanka Event

- Date: July 8, 2026
- Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Participating Language School: SAMURAI GLOBAL (PRIVATE) LIMITED
- Number of Candidates Hired: 8

Support Initiatives for Local Recruitment

To combat the staffing crisis in the tourism and hospitality industries, Dive offers recruitment support both domestically and internationally. During the recent events, Dive facilitated all aspects of the local recruitment process, from collaboration with local educational institutions to executing interviews, thereby streamlining the hiring of skilled workers.

This initiative not only provides students studying Japanese in their home countries an opportunity to build careers at Japanese hotels but also supports companies in their international hiring efforts.

Insights from the Recruitment Activities

Yukari Shogo, Recruitment Manager at Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort shares her thoughts on the recent recruitment activities in India and Sri Lanka:

"Meeting many students and educators in these regions allowed me to feel their strong aspirations and passion for working in Japan. Experiencing local hospitality highlighted similarities with our service at the hotel, giving me hope for the candidates' potential."

She noted that most candidates were inspired to learn Japanese through anime and dramas, yet their understanding of Japan was vague. Interestingly, while they aspired to come to Japan, they were more interested in a comfortable living environment than the urban pop culture of cities like Tokyo or Osaka. Moreover, Shogo expressed delight in finding candidates who understood the diverse attractions of Miyako Island, not just its beautiful beaches, and wished to live and work in such an environment.

Shogo emphasized that Hilton seeks individuals who appreciate sincere hospitality and can connect with clients and the local community, regardless of nationality. The hotel aims for these new hires to learn about the unique Miyako Island hospitality and contribute to the region's tourism.

Future Prospects

Dive's International Human Resources Unit leader shared insights on the organization's growth into India and Sri Lanka, leading to the latest recruitment event. This effort reflects the continuous need for skilled hospitality workers, resulting in the successful placement of 20 candidates at Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort.

Dive remains committed to bridging the gaps in staffing shortages in the tourism sector by supporting companies and skilled workers alike. Their vision,