Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau

Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau
Name	Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau
Native name	広島観光コンベンションビューロー
Formed	1980s
Headquarters	Hiroshima
Region served	Hiroshima Prefecture

Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau is a destination management and promotion body based in Hiroshima and serving Hiroshima Prefecture. It connects planners for conventions, tourism, business travel and cultural exchange with venues such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima Castle, Miyajima, and Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima. The bureau liaises with municipal entities including Hiroshima City, prefectural agencies, and national bodies like the Japan National Tourism Organization to attract domestic and international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.

History

Founded amid postwar redevelopment and the rise of modern convention industry strategies, the bureau evolved alongside projects such as the restoration of Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome), the promotion of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima, and regional initiatives linked to Seto Inland Sea revitalization. During the late 20th century it coordinated with corporations such as Mazda Motor Corporation and institutions including Hiroshima University and Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art to integrate academic congresses and industrial symposia. The bureau expanded programming around milestones tied to Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima, the designation of sites under UNESCO World Heritage Convention, and national campaigns by the Japan Tourism Agency.

Organization and Governance

The bureau operates as a public-private partnership model, aligning municipal offices in Hiroshima Prefecture, chambers like the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and hospitality stakeholders from hotel groups such as Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima and Sheraton Grande Hiroshima Hotel. Its board typically includes representatives from local government, tourism associations, academic entities like Hiroshima City University, and corporate partners including Mazda Motor Corporation and regional shipping firms on the Seto Inland Sea. The bureau coordinates with national organizations including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan) and the Japan National Tourism Organization for compliance with statutes such as national tourism promotion frameworks and international meeting accreditation standards.

Services and Activities

The bureau offers venue sourcing for venues like Hiroshima International Conference Center, logistical support for events at Hiroshima Green Arena, site inspections for delegates to Miyajima, and bid assistance for international congresses affiliated with organizations such as the International Congress and Convention Association and the World Health Organization. It provides marketing collateral for attractions including Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Shukkeien Garden, and the Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, and supports service suppliers ranging from local ryokan linked to the Japan Ryokan Association to tour operators associated with the Japan Association of Travel Agents. The bureau facilitates translation and interpretation services for delegations from partners like Korea Tourism Organization, VisitBritain, and provincial offices of Tourism Australia.

Marketing and Promotion

Marketing campaigns target markets promoted by organizations such as the Japan National Tourism Organization, the Asia Pacific Meetings & Events (APME), and global partners like Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) networks. Promotion leverages cultural icons including Itsukushima Shrine, historical sites tied to the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima, and local industries exemplified by Mazda Motor Corporation and the Hiroshima Carp baseball team at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima. The bureau uses trade shows such as ITB Berlin, IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America, and domestic events like Tourism EXPO Japan to pitch Hiroshima as a conference destination, collaborating with airline partners such as Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways for route connectivity. Digital outreach ties into platforms managed by entities like Google and regional media including the Chugoku Shimbun.

Events and Conferences

The bureau bids for and supports scientific congresses, cultural symposia, and industry expos hosted at venues such as the Hiroshima International Conference Center, Hiroshima Green Arena, and university lecture halls at Hiroshima University. It has assisted events connected to organizations like the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, and academic societies across fields represented by bodies such as the Japanese Society of Radiology and the Japanese Association of Asia Pacific Studies. The bureau coordinates logistics for commemorative ceremonies linked to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony and facilitates exhibitions that engage curators from institutions like the Hiroshima Museum of Art and partners in the UNESCO network.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

Partnerships extend to municipal authorities including Hiroshima City, prefectural agencies, local businesses such as Mazda Motor Corporation and hospitality groups, cultural institutions like the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and educational partners including Hiroshima University and Hiroshima City University. Community engagement initiatives collaborate with NGOs and civic groups such as the Japan Red Cross Society, volunteer networks linked to the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, and artisan collectives promoting local crafts from Miyajima. The bureau contributes to sustainable tourism frameworks promoted by the Japan Tourism Agency and works with international partners including the Japan National Tourism Organization and regional DMO networks across Chugoku (region) to balance visitor experience with heritage conservation.

Category:Tourism in Hiroshima Prefecture Category:Convention and visitors bureaus in Japan