Preserving and utilizing tourism resources

In our tourism strategy, we will work to deepen our area solutions centered on Wakayama Prefecture in order to make the most of the high-potential tourism resources that are the strength of our Group. Wakayama Prefecture has a wealth of tourist resources, including the Koyasan World Heritage Site and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. It has great potential to attract inbound tourists to the region, but the problem is that the tourist attractions are scattered.

With this in mind, we will work to promote a type of tourism that involves staying in the area and traveling around, which we have named Round Trip Wakayama. We will also utilize the resources of our Group in the Wakayama area to improve the environment for traveling around the prefecture by public transportation and to redevelop tourist and accommodation bases.

Going forward, we will establish a base in Wakayama Prefecture and work with various collaborative creation partners to promote new initiatives that are rooted in the local community, with the goal of expanding the local GDP.

In July 2024, our company, Wakayama Prefecture, and The Kiyo Bank, Ltd. signed a comprehensive partnership agreement. Based on this agreement, we will promote cooperation in regional revitalization, such as sustainable regional development and the creation of a thriving atmosphere, as well as tourism promotion, such as the attraction and promotion of resort facilities and accommodation facilities. In the future, we plan to promote regional development, industry, and employment, and create a virtuous economic cycle by developing the entire area, including attracting luxury hotels, which are currently in short supply in Wakayama Prefecture.

Koyasan, a sacred place and one of the largest tourist resources along our railway lines was registered as a World Heritage Site in July 2004 as Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. This year marks the 20th anniversary of its registration. In line with this, we are working with businesses at Koyasan and in the surrounding area, targeting domestic day-trippers, to offer "shrine and temple experiences," "restaurant and souvenir store experiences," and "food and drink discounts and special offers" that can only be experienced by visiting this notable region.

In addition, a special website has been set up to bring together unique experiences that can only be enjoyed on the 20th anniversary of the registration of these World Heritage Sites, and a promotional campaign is being developed under the title Koyasan: A Place to Feel, 2024 to encourage more people to visit.

From now on, we will continue to attract tourists to Koyasan and the surrounding area by verifying the content of experiences that are in demand, and by developing and promoting content with a greater appeal together with businesses along the railway line.