Request for Feedback -Tourism Promotion

HIBA member Satoshi Tokuda would like to request some feedback for his tourism promotion business idea. An outline of his idea and questions follows below:

as of 11/16/2011 My Business Idea (Take a weekend holiday in Sapporo)

[Summary] My plan is to target foreigners who are assigned to metropolitan areas in Japan, particularly Tokyo, and Japanese ladies that earn a high income commonly called “Celebrity” in Japanese. I would like them to come to Hokkaido on weekends to enjoy everything Hokkaido has to offer. They can relax and refresh themselves, then go directly to work from Sapporo Monday morning. By creating repeat customers, I would like to leverage the business in Hokkaido.

[Plan] Generally speaking, foreigners who are assigned to Tokyo are high earners and have an interest in all things which are not available in their countries, such as Japanese culture, history, tradition, society, scenery, food and so on. They will go anywhere and are open to trying anything if they have the interest to do so. So, if they feel that Hokkaido is an attractive place and is easy to come to from Tokyo, they will be more than willing to come to Hokkaido again and again. As a result, new businesses will be established and also Hokkaido will become famous as the city where foreigners come to from all over Japan to relax. It will cause the “Celebrities” to stay in Hokkaido on weekends. By offering high quality service to high-income earners, Hokkaido can develop a high profit business. Young families and pensioners will follow. Hokkaido’s economy will improve and this will encourage the spirit of both citizens and non-citizens. Someday, Hokkaido will be famous among foreign countries through word of mouth from returning natives.

My wish is that Sapporo will become an international city, well known for it’s beauty and convenience.

[Present conditions] 1. Attractive points - refreshing climate - magnificent scenery - fresh and delicious food - beautiful scenery unlike the rest of Japan - drift ice sightseeing - hot springs - outdoor sports (canoeing, horseback riding, camping, fishing, adventure, golf, etc) - winter sports (skiing, skating) 2. problems - not known to foreign residents in Tokyo - far from Tokyo - short history, and therefore a lack of culture - hash winters 3. competitors (1) nearby cities: Hakone, Izu, Karuizawa, wards within Tokyo: Shibuya, Roppongi (2) cities with more history and culture: Kyoto, Nara, Kamakura, Nikkou (3) neighboring Asian countries: China, Korea 4. business - few big companies that are attractive to foreigners

[survey and questions] It would be a great help if you could help answer the following questions and send them to me at: tokudas@yha.att.ne.jp

1. Your comments concerning my idea 2. What are the attractive points of Hokkaido from your perspective? 3. How can Hokkaido become an attractive ground for foreign residents living in Tokyo? 4. How often do you travel within Japan? 5. For how long do you usually travel in Japan? 6. What do foreigners in Tokyo do on the weekends? 7. What influences your decision to take a short trip outside of Tokyo? 8. When you go on a trip within Japan, what kind of service do you desire? Also what kind of service do you dislike? 9. What kind of things are foreigners in Tokyo interested in? For example: affairs in their own countries, job when returning to their countries, hobbies, family, friends, etc 10. What do foreigners do in Tokyo after work on weekday?