Asia-Pacific Hot Spring Tourism Assoc. Board Meeting & Seminar at Tamagawa Onsen, Akita, Japan

Led by Taiwan Asia-Pacific International Hot Spring Tourism Association Chairperson Chou Shui-Mei with board members, Taipei Hot Spring Development Association, and Taipei Commercial District Industry Federation board members and members, the delegation departed on June 17, 2017 for Tamagawa Onsen in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, Japan to hold the 1st Term 4th Board of Directors and Supervisors Fellowship and Hot Spring Seminar. Japanese honorary members from renowned hot springs including Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama City (Ehime), Ito Onsen (Ito City), Minakami Town (Gunma), Ibusuki Onsen (Kagoshima), Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma), and Yonezawa City (Yamagata) all attended. Additionally, Taiwan\'s Representative to Japan Ambassador Frank Hsieh and 11 colleagues joined the event. Photo 1: Asia-Pacific Hot Spring Tourism Association Chairperson Chou Shui-Mei and all delegation members

Since its establishment on October 31, 2015, the Taiwan Asia-Pacific International Hot Spring Tourism Association, with the support of all members and honorary members under Chairperson Chou Shui-Mei, successfully held its first overseas 1st Term 2nd Board Meeting on June 27, 2016 at Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The Association extends special thanks to Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama City, Dogo Onsen Ryokan Cooperative, and the Matsuyama Dogo Conference Executive Committee for their tremendous support in facilitating the meeting and exchange activities.
In October of the same year, honorary members from Chinese and Japanese hot spring regions specially visited Beitou, Taiwan to attend the Taipei Hot Spring Festival and the Asia-Pacific 1st Term 2nd General Assembly and 3rd Board Meeting. Through seamless cooperation and collective brainstorming, the events were a great success. This year\'s 1st Term 4th Board Meeting was decided by members to be held in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, Japan, because Beitou\'s hot springs and Tamagawa Onsen share the same spring quality - acidic green sulfur springs.
Moreover, they are the only places in the world with green sulfur springs that produce the precious mineral Hokutolite, making all Taiwan participants excited about the opportunity to explore Tamagawa Onsen in depth.

The Semboku City Government, Tazawako-Kakunodate Tourism Federation, and Tamagawa Onsen representatives specially came to Tokyo Narita Airport two days before the event on June 17 to welcome all delegation members. The Taiwan representatives were deeply moved. The group arrived at Tamagawa Onsen on the evening of 6/18, where Tazawako-Kakunodate Tourism Federation Chairman Sato Kazushi had arranged a welcome dinner. Five lucky members also received hot spring therapy experiences. The following day, June 19, the conference officially opened with Semboku City Mayor Kadowaki Mitsuhiro attending to share how Semboku City utilizes hot springs to promote health tourism.

Chairperson Chou stated she will continue to uphold the Association\'s mission of jointly promoting the internationalization of hot spring tourism and related industries, and strengthening the connections and interactions among hot spring operators, tourism leisure hotels, wellness dining, local commercial districts, and related industry groups and personnel for sustainable development.

Photo 2: Tazawako-Kakunodate Tourism Federation Chairman Sato Kazushi (pictured)