Message from the President

The tourism landscape is at a historic turning point. While inbound demand continues to grow, the challenges we face—overtourism, regional disparities, and acute labor shortages—are becoming increasingly structural and complex.

As Peter Drucker famously stated, “Planning is not about future decisions, but about what we do today to prepare for an uncertain tomorrow.” In today’s VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) environment, what matters most is not predicting the future, but deciding—here and now—what to do and what not to do. The speed and quality of these decisions will shape the future of regions and businesses alike.

Data-driven analysis and forecasting have long been essential to decision-making, and advances in AI have further enhanced their accuracy. However, in fields such as tourism and regional development—where uncertainty is inherent—“intuition,” built through extensive on-the-ground experience, plays a critical role. This is not about unfounded instinct or subjective judgment. Rather, it is a disciplined capability developed through continuous practice and real-world insight.

Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic, noted that intuition, often perceived as unscientific, can exceed logic when grounded in repeated training and experience. Today, research increasingly supports this view: intuition is a sophisticated cognitive process that becomes effective when supported by deep expertise, insight, and a strong sense of responsibility.

Against this backdrop, our role is not only to understand the present through data, but to translate insight into action—to shape practical, forward-looking strategies. We work closely with our clients to develop precise, actionable roadmaps grounded in real-world conditions.

Tourism today extends beyond the boundaries of a single industry. Sustainable regional and business growth depends on meaningful connections across sectors, communities, and stakeholders.

As both a think tank and a consulting firm, we sometimes act as a “brake,” providing objective perspectives, and at other times as a “partner,” working alongside our clients to drive action. Our mission is to empower regions and organizations to rediscover their value and move forward with confidence. We are committed to delivering practical, field-based solutions for every challenge.

We are grateful for the trust and collaboration of our clients and partners, and remain committed to working together to shape the future of human connections.