The Osaka Prefectural Association of Travel Agents (Chairman Yoshimura Minoru, Kanki Travel Service) and the Osaka Zenryo Association (Chairman Nishimura Hajime, Nishimuraya) held a New Year's party on January 16th at the Hotel Nikko Osaka in Chuo Ward, Osaka City. Chairman Yoshimura said, "We want to solidify the foundation of Osaka that our predecessors built and build a strong organization. We will strive to spread the good economic situation in Osaka due to inbound tourism to our members." Vice Chairman Nagano Suemitsu of the All Japan Travel Agents Association said, "The new Travel Industry Law will come into effect on January 4th, and will introduce travel service arrangement businesses and make regular training for travel managers mandatory. We want to do everything we can to ensure the safety of travel." Koji Sakano, Director of the Kinki Regional Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, said, "Visits by foreign tourists to Japan are the driving force behind the Kansai economy, but in terms of travel spending, domestic tourists currently account for 80%. We want to work hard to promote domestic travel." After this, Toshikazu Hagiwara, Managing Director of Zenryo, reported that the amount of Zenryo coupons issued in Osaka had increased significantly by 115% compared to the previous year, and said, "We are pleased to see Osaka's enthusiasm and energy, and we would like to follow their example." Chairman Nishimura led a toast, and the friendly exchange began.