OSAKA is to participate in the second part of a charity fun run organised by a Japan DMC seeking to keep the spirt of event organising alive while the country awaits the much hoped for Tokyo Olympics and the passing of Covid.
Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau will be joining the Great Kansai Odyssey organised by The J-Team, which is rounding up the region’s hotels and venues to run, jog or walk a series of 2 to 3km sections between the city and Kyoto on November 13.
The event follows a successful “odyssey” in Tokyo on September 6, the date when the Paralympic Marathon was due to be held. Some 20 industry partners and around 100 people took part in the 11 hour event which stopped at the capital’s landmarks before finishing at the Olympic Stadium.
“Here at The J Team we are still very frustrated about not having enough events to run and not being able to be on site with clients from other parts of this world,” said Geraint Holt, managing director of the inbound DMC.
“We have decided that we shall not be beaten by a microscopic invader. So we have decided to hold an event of our own.”
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Osaka convention bureau’s Jonathan Lucas said funds raised from November’s event would go to the Kansai Food Bank and Holy Family Home.
Holt said the events showed that live events were still going ahead under Covid restrictions in Japan while also offering a networking opportunity for industry colleagues. They also served as a reminder that destinations would be ready to welcome back business event visitors once travel limits eased.
A “virtual baton” will be relayed along a managed route between Osaka and Kyoto with teams responsible for different sections.
