Steve Chadwick sees possibilities in Japan visit

Opportunities for hot springs and spa development in Rotorua are on the agenda for Mayor Steve Chadwick when she visits Rotorua's Japanese sister city, Beppu, this week.

Mrs Chadwick has accepted an invitation from Beppu's mayor, Hiroshi Hamada, to join commemorations marking its 90th anniversary of city status and the 100th anniversary of its hot springs festival.

Mrs Chadwick said Beppu was recognised internationally for its highly developed geothermal attractions and hot springs, or "onsen" as they are known in Japan, and as a major tourism destination.

She and her delegation will be in Beppu for five nights, with the cost of arrangements covered by Beppu's city council.

Mr Hamada's invitation also provided a timely opportunity to investigate hot springs and geothermal opportunities for our city, Mrs Chadwick said.

"I've lined up a number of business meetings in Beppu and Tokyo with people involved in these sectors and I have site inspections arranged for some of Beppu's spa and hot springs developments.

"I'm also going to be looking at some examples of geothermal power generation for tourism facilities and 'jigoku mushi' - cooking using geothermal-generated steam.

"Our council wants to see the unique natural geothermal attributes of our own at Kuirau Park substantially developed in the future so the park can become a focal point of Rotorua's geothermal experience.

"At present, Kuirau Park is not realising its potential. It's under-developed, under-utilised and falls short as a quality international visitor attraction, so this is a chance to look at ideas for transforming Kuirau Park into something special," Mrs Chadwick said.

Beppu became a sister city of Rotorua in 1987. There have been numerous visits to Rotorua by groups and individuals from Beppu.

The council's sister-city agreements provide for official visits every three years.

Mrs Chadwick will be accompanied by her husband John, councillor and cultural ambassador Trevor Maxwell and Rotorua-based Japanese business woman Yumiko Kawano-McGovern as interpreter.

The delegation leaves tonight and returns next Monday.