In November 2025, the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation (ATTA) delivered a centered AdventureEDU coaching in partnership with the Hokkaido Tourism Group and regional stakeholders throughout Hokkaido. Designed to strengthen the talents, security foundations, and enterprise consciousness of journey guides, the multi-day program introduced collectively a choose group of 23 individuals for an immersive studying expertise tailor-made particularly for Japan’s quickly rising journey journey sector.
The coaching mixed a 90-minute digital pre-session with two in-person, two-day workshops held in several cities throughout Hokkaido. Led by two skilled AdventureEDU instructors, Janie Welsh and John Connelly, the coaching emphasised important guiding competencies, danger administration, visitor communication, and greatest practices for growing high-quality journey experiences. The curriculum—which ATTA tailored to align intently with area circumstances and operator wants in Japan—was created utilizing regional insights gathered from native companions and on-the-ground analysis.
Between classroom classes, individuals additionally engaged in field-based workouts coordinated by native operators, giving guides the possibility to apply abilities in real-world environments whereas receiving personalised teaching from instructors. These hands-on classes helped reinforce strategies for route planning, security briefings, environmental stewardship, and cultural interpretation—key components shaping Hokkaido’s imaginative and prescient for sustainable journey tourism.
In response to the Hokkaido Tourism Group, “Our aim is to make sure that Hokkaido’s journey experiences meet the very best worldwide requirements, and information growth is important to that effort. This coaching strengthened our dedication to security, professionalism, and genuine storytelling. We’re proud to see native guides strengthening their abilities and readying themselves to welcome extra world vacationers to Hokkaido’s landscapes and tradition.”
The classes attracted a various group of outside professionals, together with aspiring guides, established operators, and planners seeking to elevate their applications for worldwide markets. For a lot of, it was a chance not solely to enhance their technical abilities but in addition to attach with friends and business mentors.
The coaching helped make clear what worldwide journey vacationers anticipate, whereas reinforcing the worth of sturdy communication and danger administration. It left guides feeling extra assured, higher ready, and newly energized to ship globally aligned experiences that also honor Hokkaido’s distinct character.
All through the classes, ATTA emphasised how the worldwide journey journey panorama is shifting and the way Japanese locations—notably nature-rich Hokkaido—are uniquely positioned to profit. Individuals explored what right this moment’s journey vacationers anticipate, how operators can combine sustainability into product design, and techniques for extending Hokkaido’s visibility on the worldwide stage.
Educator Janie Welsh mentioned, “Hokkaido’s guiding group confirmed an unimaginable dedication to studying and enhancing. As trainers, we might really feel how genuinely dedicated they’re to elevating the bar for security, storytelling, and visitor expertise. That stage of professionalism—and the keenness behind it—is what’s going to assist Hokkaido stand out on the worldwide journey journey stage.”
Upon completion, all individuals obtained AdventureEDU certificates of completion, recognizing their dedication to growing world-class guiding requirements.
The November 2025 coaching represents a significant step in strengthening Japan’s journey journey infrastructure. With Hokkaido rising as one of many nation’s main out of doors locations—providing climbing, biking, wildlife experiences, winter sports activities, and cultural immersion—investing in information high quality will play a key position in shaping the area’s future progress.
As Hokkaido appears forward to increasing its journey choices, the collaboration between ATTA, Tobu High Excursions, and native companions demonstrates a shared dedication to making sure guiding excellence, security, and sustainability stay on the forefront of the area’s tourism growth.