The Osaka Prefecture Association of Travel Agents Cooperative (OATA, 88 members, Chairman Maeda Eiji, Daiei Travel) recently held its 49th regular general meeting at the Rihga Royal Hotel in Kita-ku, Osaka. All of the proposals were approved, but among them, the amendment to the articles of incorporation expanded the association's district from "Osaka Prefecture area" to "Osaka Prefecture and Hyogo Prefecture area," allowing travel agencies in Hyogo Prefecture to join OATA. In response to a question from a member about the amendment to the articles of incorporation, "Why didn't you just change it to Hyogo Prefecture and include Kyoto Prefecture and Shiga Prefecture in the Kinki region?", Vice Chairman Kasamai Kitomo (Terunami Travel Service) said, "Under the Cooperative Association Law, we cannot be recognized unless the specific name of the prefecture is included. If there are requests from other prefectures, we would like to respond to them each time," explaining that the reason for OATA membership from other prefectures is "to increase the number of members." Chairman Maeda said, "The amount of OATA coupons issued in fiscal 2023 was 5.59 billion yen, a 49% increase from the previous year." "We will not participate in the Tenjin Festival Boat Procession, which was OATA's signature event, but as an alternative, we would like to propose travel and events in collaboration with the Osaka Prefectural Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Associations."