New Member: Setouchi DMO

The Setouchi DMO is made up of seven prefectures around the Setouchi region (Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa and Ehime prefectures) and consists of the Setouchi Tourism Bureau, which plans and implements tourism marketing and promotion, and the Setouchi Brand Corporation Ltd, which supports the development of tourism products using the Setouchi Tourism Sustainability Fund.

Private businesses joined the organization launched by the governments of the seven prefectures bordering the Seto Inland Sea to launch the authority as a foundation in March 2016. The Inland Sea, SETOUCHI Tourism Authority promotes the attractions of Setouchi to people at home and abroad and creates new tourism demand through strategic marketing based on thorough research. The Inland Sea, SETOUCHI Tourism Authority also aims to promote the development of new tourism products such as services for tourists and local specialties in cooperation with the Setouchi Brand Corporation Inc. so that tourists can experience the authentic charms of the Setouchi.

The Setouchi Brand Corporation Inc. was established in April 2016, with investment from 46 bodies including financial institutions mostly in the Setouchi Region, and companies in and out of the Region. In close cooperation with The Inland Sea, SETOUCHI Tourism Authority, the Setouchi Brand Corporation Inc. aims not only to expand self-initiated projects as the host for tourism demand created through promotional activities but also to maximize the value of Setouchi by supporting business development, management and financial assistance for tourism-related business operators utilizing the 15 billion yen Tourism Sustainability Fund and providing membership projects.

The Setouchi DMO is the front-runner in jointly promoting the branding of the entire Setouchi region, promoting comprehensive tourism marketing and product development, and managing an internationally competitive and sustainable tourism destination.