Day: April 4, 2022

Kentaro is the Sales & Marketing Manager and Creative Director at Nihon Harmony Resort Co., Ltd. He has been at Nihon Harmony Resort for 12 years starting in 2010. His work experience has been throughout Niseko, Sapporo and Asahikawa.

I hope that I can use my experience in the design and marketing fields to help promote the Niseko area.

To be one of the best resorts in the world in both name and reality, without missing the opportunity of large-scale renewal of city planning, transportation infrastructure and other facilities for the extension of the Shinkansen to Sapporo, the extension of the highway to Kuchiyasu, and the realization of the Sapporo Olympics in winter.

I have been living and working in the area for 14 years in a variety of roles including real estate, development, property management, hospitality and food & beverage.

One goal is to listen to members and work with them and other stakeholders to make this area more attractive for visitors. Niseko is a unique place with a huge amount to offer. We have great opportunities ahead of us and part of our future success has to be our collective ability to communicate and work together more effectively.

I would like to see this resort set itself up for the next 50 years with discussions and action based on common sense and solid planning. It should focus on driving business whilst ensuring what we do is sustainable and commercially viable for all stakeholders well into the future.

I have lived and worked in Niseko since 2001 and have a broad range of experience in travel, property management, ski area management and golf tourism.

Establish a Niseko Tourism Awards Event and Central Reservations for accommodation providers.

Niseko will become Asia’s premium year round destination.

I have worked in Niseko for over 10 years in a range of roles covering sales and marketing. I am currently the Senior Sales and Marketing Manager for Setsu Niseko. I have developed a strong understanding of the Niseko market and have established many working relationships over this time. In a prior role, I was a key member of the NFP in developing and driving Niseko United’s current marketing strategies.

A goal I have for the NPB is to see it continue to develop into a sustainable, tourism body that represents all stakeholders within the Niseko region. I have seen a lot of positive change within the NPB over the last 4 years and what it represents and I wish to contribute to the continued development of the NPB to further Niseko’s reputation both globally and locally. I will be focused on supporting projects that are beneficial to the entire community and help to push Niseko as an all year-round destination.

My vision of Niseko is to see us continue to be the pre-eminent ski resort in Asia across all seasons. To achieve this we need to continue to develop our strengths but also work on our weaknesses. This involves looking at Niseko’s competitors and learning from them. We also need the local government to improve infrastructure in Niseko to bring it in line with other world-renowned resorts and make the overall guest experience an appealing one.

I’ve been working at Rhythm since 2005 and become the Japanese director in 2013. Prior to 2005 I worked at Yomiuri Travel Agency in Osaka and did a tour conductor for domestic and overseas.

Niseko has a great potential to grow its green season and can attract more tourists thought year so that businesses benefits and become more sustainable that enable to maintain more year around employments. Green season we could mountain activities includes long mountain coasters, mountain biking trails, food festivals (Autumn Fes’ has proved it) and so on.

My vision for Niseko is where people are desired to come and experience the world class powder snow and it has become a global branding. Niseko has a unique society with multi cultural people living in the small area and enjoying their life styles surrounded by the such beautiful environment that makes people happy.

1990 Joined Niseko Tokyu Resort Co., Ltd.

I regard this year as the first year of recovery from the corona disaster, and I would like to do my best to attract customers to the Niseko area.

An area that is attractive enough as an international resort and can continue to develop for a long time in the future.

25 years and sales and marketing experience in global tourism and hospitality

Participate in positioning Niseko as a leading brand

To create a leading tourism destination that supports and enhances a community

1999 NISEKO POWDER CONNECTION founded (land operator business)

2002 NISEKO REAL ESTATE founded (real estate business)

2006 NISEKO MANAGEMENT SERVICE founded (accommodation and property management business)

2007 NISEKO GREEN FARM founded (agricultural production corporation)

2015 HOKKAIDO EVENTS founded (General Incorporated Association)

2019 NISEKO AVIATION founded (aviation industry)

It has been 25 years since I moved to Niseko in 1997. During this time, three children grew up as “children of Niseko,” and I myself have been involved in several projects thanks to the support of many of you. By making full use of both English and Japanese, I would like to impose a role as a bridge between the foreign and Japanese communities in this town and contribute to the development of the Niseko area with little effort.

Niseko is attracting attention from both inside and outside Japan, including the diversity of countries and demographics of tourists visiting this area, and the diversity of businesses and residents who shape the region. Changes are required in various industries including tourism in the wake of one big event called corona. Niseko, with its diversity, has the strength to respond well to such changes, and NPB needs to function as a flag-bearer for tourism in the region.

Engaged in tourism (buses, hotels, ski resorts) for many years with the Hokkaido Chuo Bus company. Currently, I am the company’s director and executive officer (including Annupuri ski resort and hotel).

I will work in collaboration with local businesses as well as local governments with the aim of forming a year-round resort that we can be proud of at an international level.

I aim for the Niseko area to be a place where many visitors can enjoy their experience to the fullest and make them want to visit again and again throughout the four seasons.

I have worked as a newspaper journalist, government media advisor, government marketing & communications consultant, tourism magazine editor and publisher

One of my goals for the next term of NPB directorship would be to help drive towards and facilitate the rebranding of the organisation, in order to help move forward to the next phase of tourism in Niseko towards the arrival of the shinkansen and beyond.

I wish to see Niseko continue to grow but with more strategy and planning, and I see Niseko Tourism as playing an integral part in this process.

17 years of property management experience in Hirafu. 4 years of restaurant ownership in Hirafu.

To help make Niseko a world class year round resort. Make Niseko Asia’s premier mountain bike destination.

To make Niseko a year round International mountain resort. In order to achieve this we need the help of the local councils to build the necessary tourism infrastructure.

Ioanna has +14 years of experience in Food & Beverage as the Co-Director of Little Door KK’s Bar Gyu+, spanning all disciplines of operations, management, service, marketing and production. Having lived in Niseko since 2005, Ioanna has been active in the community as an Elementary School English teacher in Niseko Town and participated in local events and festivals for years. Internationally, she has been an interpreter, fixer and writer for numerous publications, TV productions, and media outlets, most recently curating content for Roads & Kingdoms (foreign correspondence dedicated to food and travel). In parallel to this work she is currently a Consultant for a numerous projects from spirits brands, restaurants and hospitality in Europe, the US and Japan. She is fluent in English and intermediate in Japanese (N3).

As the area expands and receives more international attention, I would like to contribute my knowledge in dealing with foreign organizations looking to enter the Japanese market specifically in the Hospitality industry, contribute creative ideas towards the road map we are building for Niseko as a world famous destination, and support other members to ensure their concerns are being heard. Ensuring we are forward thinking in creative ways and building a sustainable tourism plan for Niseko is something I value deeply and would love to opportunity to contribute to.

Niseko has an opportunity to attract talent, build an international community and be a model for other areas in Japan and worldwide. The challenges we face in our area, although somewhat unique, can be used as examples for other communities – how we use our cultural, mental and occupational diversity to find creative solutions is one of our biggest assets. Being at the forefront of innovation in these spheres will ensure a long lasting sustainable growth in the area. Healthy lifestyle, sports mecca, and sustainable tourism are strong parts of the Niseko brand and ensuring we look after our natural resources and environment by fostering communication between different groups of people and interest is something we should strive towards.

I am the owner and President of Ski Japan Travel KK which trades under the business name SkiJapan.com . I first visited Niseko in 1996 and since then have been promoting Tourism to this area bringing mostly inbound international guests over the last 26 years. Apart from our main Travel business, I have also been involved in Real Estate, Ski school, Ski Rental, Property Management and Property development and Media during this time.

Bring a greater level of transparency and accountability for allocation of resources and expenditure so that all stakeholders believe they are getting equal value for money with funds invested in NPB. The coming two year period will be extremely challenging for NPB with the dual spectre of conflict in Europe and the hangover from the pandemic combined with an chronic oversupply of accommodation. This calls for restraint and more careful consideration of how and why NPB conducts its activities rather than simply following an old familiar song sheet.

An open community bonded by mutually shared and trusted values and goals. A sophisticated, culturally diverse and artistic enclave of Japan that is truly unique, yet maintains its authenticity, as it embraces and carefully manages further development, attracting and keeping talented people drawn to the allure of a truly 4 seasons resort. The evolution has only just begun.

My professional experience includes leading Operations, implement Sales & Marketing initiatives, Financial accountability and grow Guest loyalty with highly recognised hotel establishments. From training and developing staff, overseeing P&L responsibilities, driving Sales & Marketing efforts, administration, along with related customer satisfaction and leadership successes, have equipped me with the critical, technical and creative abilities enabling me to thrive in this fast-paced environment.

To help make Niseko a key all season destination by creating events, activities and attractions to grow our domestic and international markets. Focus will be on the Summer season promoting the weather, local produce and lifestyle.

My Vision is to see Niseko become the top Alpine holiday destination in Asia that will create jobs all year round for people that love the great outdoors and lifestyle that Niseko can offer. A more vibrant community and camaraderie among it’s residents.

Hideo has worked for several foreign-affiliated IT companies for more than 30 years, and has led Japanese operations in a management position for 20 years. He moved to Niseko, where he was a frequent tourist, and joined Hokkaido Tracks in 2018. He is now the Operations Manager in the Hospitality Division at H2 Group.

We will welcome travellers who come to Niseko in a friendly manner and promote efforts to make it a resort area where you can enjoy it safely and comfortably. Aim to be recognized as the top resort in the world.

Nature, agriculture, and travel industry coexist in a well-balanced manner, and resorts that can impress travelers at all points of contact such as sports, food, and accommodations, and people living in the city will want to come again and again.

Have worked in hospitality for over 27 years with Hyatt Hotels throughout Australia, Bali, Dubai, China, Korea and Japan. I have been a General Manager of a Hyatt hotel for 10 years Grand Hyatt Incheon/ Korea, Park Hyatt Beijing and now Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono

To help the NPB achieve it’s strategic objectives in promoting Niseko as an all season destination. To provide leadership and expertise support to the NPB, particularly in the area of luxury fully service hotels entering the the location.

For Niseko to become known as Asia’s best all season resort, the so called “Whistler” of Asia

Started off in fast paced, high pressure situations where deadlines were met constantly without fail. This experience was through my tax and finance experience at PwC, Of which included being Inducted as a Chartered Accountant. The next part of my work experience has been a brief introduction of Niseko from a seasonal point of view working a winter at rhythm and summer at MnK. Most challenging part has been working and leading a merger at Rhythm Japan, while assisting in handling the impact of the pandemic and completing my MBA . Most recently being promoted to head of group finance Japan.

Personally being involved in NFPs at PwC it’s important to focus on the boards goal and not personal agendas of which is to enhance the experience of our guests ! I would like to share what I have learnt of which might not focus on my goals but enable the boards goals ultimate goal. If we want to showcase one particular area would be to assist in the building of future budgets, spending and proposals this is my strength and I would like to own this or assist those who are currently dealing with it.

Niseko to continue to compete as a world class resort destination through increased community infrastructure in the resort .This would be via the introduction and continuation of building the current market and ensuring that specific foundations are built to allow the capabilities of handling guests year round that all receive the same experience. Overall I would see Niseko and it’s community of current businesses , new entrants and the Local DMO’s community working together as one to build this vision out.

Near 23 year resident in Japan, 16 odd years in Niseko. Studied social work and later on psychiatry in Holland, specialising in autistiform related conditions with mentally challenged people as case manager. In Japan worked mostly in the food sector. Production: organic vegetables in Nagano, Fukushima ( Fuji Farm), Konbu (Takadai) and Kutchan ( Niseko Green Farm) as well as work in several restaurants. From 2007 set up and operated a number of restaurants and bars in the Niseko area: Wild Bills, Green Farm Cafe, Umbrella Bar, Don Don, Blo*Blo, IKI, Central Kitchen, Ginger, Niseko Gelato, Way Bar, Midtown Diner, Hanazono Golf Coena amongst those.

Represent, promote and support the f&b industry in Niseko and help to work on improving customer experience as well as operator’s work climate. Together you’re strong philosophy.

An all year round resort where we all as a town strive and work towards ways to bring in guests in shoulder and low seasons. From an f&b perspective, I think that only high end restaurants isn’t sustainable for an all year town and diversity important to provide a variety of options to visitors.

I have been General Manager at MnK Niseko for over 5 years and served as a Director on the Niseko Tourism board for 4 years.

Continue to progress the organisation to continue to the development of the local area.

Niseko has the potential to become one of the best lifestyle destinations in the world with thriving year-round visitation.