The workshop consisted of two parts: lectures by experts and group discussions by participants. During the first part, examples from the trial tour implemented this year were used to learn about key points related to planning, preparing, and managing nature experience tourism. During the second part, participants exchanged opinions to consider both how to create appealing content and effective promotional methods.

This event started with a lecture by Mr. Tomohiro Fuchiyama, a Universal Tourism Advisor for PLANNING NETWORK Co.
Mr. Fuchiyama reflected on the Hachijo-jima Accessible Beach and Snorkeling Experience, Akigawa Valley River Activity (Chairing, River Fishing, and SUP) Experience, and Oshima Trekking Experience, all of which were implemented in Tokyo this year, as he emphasized that advance preparation starting during the planning stage is a deciding factor in terms of the success or failure of managing an event, and he explained the preliminary inspection and verification processes used during the planning stage. Regarding Akigawa, he introduced an example in which he theorized that it might be possible to take advantage of the shallow water to achieve SUP experiences that enabled participants to play and fish in the river, so he worked with an activity provider to verify whether it would be possible to make such experiences accessible to wheelchair users by equipping paddleboards with wheelchairs or low camping chairs. According to Mr. Fuchiyama, “The key to developing universal nature experience tourism products is not to list reasons why doing so is not possible but rather verify how to accomplish this task,” and he emphasized the importance of preparing in collaboration with travel agencies, experience providers, and local communities.
He also explained that, during preliminary inspections, it is important to individually confirm details that include lines of flow, slopes, the availability of restrooms and space for changing clothes, and changes in the tide level and water volume to check for the existence of potentially fatal barriers.

Next, Mr. Masami Nagahashi, Chairman and Chief Researcher of Universal Tourism Sougoukenkyujo (an NPO), gave a lecture. Mr. Nagahashi explained the social significance and business potential of accessible tourism, which is tourism that provides value by switching from inaccessible experiences to accessible experiences that enable anyone to go and participate.
He also pointed out that, although nature experiences tend to be viewed as challenging to make accessible, such experiences are in fact diverse: they go beyond mountains, seas, and rivers and include agricultural experiences and cycling as well. According to him, with the right ideas and support, the potential of such experiences can be greatly expanded.
He also told the participants that people requiring accessible tourism actually want to enjoy experiences in the same way as everyone else without any special treatment, and he emphasized the importance of starting by taking whatever steps are possible as opposed to aiming for perfection and quitting as a result.

During the second part of the workshop, participants split into four groups to discuss the following topics: appealing content, program model plans for nature experiences in the city, and effective promotional methods and sales approaches. As a result, each group shared the following opinions and plans:
・Personalized value is important as a condition for achieving appealing content, including a feeling of excitement and who each person goes with. ・The most persuasive kind of information communication is when people requiring accessible tourism actually experience it and then communicate how exciting it was. ・Setting up camping and nature experiences based on the following key ideas: feelings of excitement and making abandoned dreams come true ・A specific plan that enable three generations of parents and children to enjoy tourism (Going to Mount Takao with Grandpa and Grandma) and ideas for providing the necessary behind-the-scenes support

The lecturers commented that one future challenge is to avoid stagnating at the idea stage and to instead come up with business plans that include sales methods and price setting and that it is necessary to consider accessible-tourism products not as special products but rather as a natural extension of general nature experience tourism.
In addition, this event showed the nature experience tourism that everyone can enjoy offers a diverse range of opportunities for expansion, and it was therefore a meaningful opportunity in terms of facilitating future initiatives by participants.
The City of Tokyo will continue cooperating with relevant business operators to promote universal nature experience tourism that can safely be enjoyed by anyone.

The City of Tokyo subsidizes some of the costs of introducing equipment, etc. necessary for nature experience tourism. This subsidy also covers the cost of modifying owned equipment and developing facilities.
Details: https://www.sangyo-rodo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/tourism/kakusyu/nature/
As a result of the workshop, we confirmed that, with the right preparations and cooperation, we can achieve even initiatives that felt difficult until now.
We hope that you will grow these seeds of change to take on the next round of challenges for your business as well.