Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

What Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau does

The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (公益財団法人大阪観光局) is a Japanese public interest foundation established in 2013 and headquartered in central Osaka (TODA BUILDING Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku). Jointly funded and overseen by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and Sakai City, the bureau is charged with promoting tourism, attracting conventions and MICE events, and supporting educational travel across the Osaka region. It operates as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Osaka Prefecture, coordinating promotion across inbound international visitors, domestic travelers, business events, sports tourism, film tourism, gastronomy, medical tourism, and LGBTQ+ tourism segments.

The bureau's product portfolio centers on digital visitor services and data-driven destination management. Core platforms include OSAKA-INFO (multilingual tourism information portal), the Osaka Tourism Data Hub (DMP) aggregating tourism consumption data and visitor surveys across Osaka Prefecture municipalities, DeepExperience Osaka (inbound tour and experience listings co-operated with Yunius in five languages), the Osaka Raku Pass (QR code access pass for 20+ attractions), Visit Gay Osaka (Japan's first tourism bureau-led LGBTQ travel portal), and Osaka Free Wi-Fi (~7,000 access points supporting push-notification delivery of multilingual tourist information).

Revenue is derived from two streams: supporting membership fees at 10,000 JPY per unit (minimum 5 units for corporate/organizational members) from a partner network of hotels, restaurants, transport operators, and experience providers, and government appropriations from Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and Sakai City. The bureau pursues B2B partnerships with major platforms (Klook, Airbnb Japan, Weibo, Ctrip, IHG Hotels & Resorts, JTB) and coordinates destination alliances with other Japanese prefectures and cities. Its leadership comprises Hiroshi Mizobata as Chairman, and the organization employs 51-100 staff.

Name

Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Legal name

公益動物園大阪観光局

Website

https://octb.osaka-info.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau is a public interest foundation jointly funded by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and Sakai City that promotes inbound tourism, MICE events, and educational travel for the Osaka region through digital platforms, data analytics, and a partner network of 15+ supporting member organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Destination Marketing & Tourism Promotion

NAICS

Convention and Visitors Bureaus (561591)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Permitting, Reservations & Visitor Information Services (Passes, Booking, Visitor Centers) (THAAAGAD), Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF)

Keywords

• Destination marketing organization
• Convention hosting services
• MICE event promotion
• Inbound tourism promotion
• Educational travel support

Headquarters

HQ city

Semba

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Supporting Member Fees (賛助会員会費): Annual membership fees from corporate/organizational supporting members (5 units minimum, 10,000 JPY per unit) and individual supporting members (1 unit). Members receive bid information, news from supporting members, and partnership benefits with the bureau.
2. Government Funding and Subsidy Programs: Public interest foundation funded by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and Sakai City to conduct tourism promotion, convention attraction, and related business activities leveraging the historical, cultural, and economic characteristics of the region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau is a public interest foundation that promotes tourism, attracts international conventions and MICE events, and supports educational/academic travel to the Osaka region. It markets Osaka as a destination, supports local tourism businesses through a Supporting Member program, and operates multilingual digital platforms and visitor information services for inbound and domestic travelers.

Product overview

The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau operates a portfolio of tourism promotion products and platforms centered on digital visitor services and data-driven destination management. Core offerings include the Osaka Raku Pass (QR code-based attraction pass), the Osaka Tourism Data Hub DMP (data analytics platform), DeepExperience Osaka (inbound experience booking platform), the official OSAKA-INFO tourism portal, Visit Gay Osaka (LGBTQ-focused travel site), Osaka Free Wi-Fi service, and Medical Tourism platforms. The Bureau also conducts LGBTQ tourism initiatives, sustainability programs, and sports/gastronomy tourism marketing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VISIT GAY OSAKA: Japan's first tourism bureau-led comprehensive LGBTQ travel information English website for visitors to Osaka.
• 大阪楽遊パス (Osaka Rakuyu Pass)
• Visit Gay Osaka

Products and services

• Supporting Member Program

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, core and minor.

• ACN Group (ACNグループ)moderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 May 2026ACN Group signed a 'Japanese Tourism Showcase Special Partner' contract with Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, contributing to tourism promotion efforts.
• JURENmoderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 March 2026JUREN signed an Official Partner (Bronze) contract with Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau for tourism promotion cooperation.
• KlookcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Klook and Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau signed an MoU on February 24, 2026 to collaborate on advancing inbound tourism across Osaka Prefecture. The partnership focuses on joint content development, data sharing and analysis of inbound travel behavior, sustainable tourism initiatives, and digital solutions to enhance traveler convenience. According to Klook's Travel Pulse 2026 study, 48.6% of travelers planning to visit Japan in 2026 intend to include Osaka in their itinerary.
• MIRACLE WORLDmoderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 November 2025MIRACLE WORLD signed an Official Partner (Gold) contract with the bureau, contributing to digital art and nightlife tourism promotion in the Namba area.
• LifeCard (ライフカード)moderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2025LifeCard signed an Official Partner (Gold) contract with the bureau, participating in tourism promotion initiatives.
• IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2024Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau joined IGLTA in October 2018 as the first Japanese DMO member. In 2024, Osaka hosted the first Asian IGLTA Global Summit, which won the International Conference Attraction Contribution Award. The bureau actively conducts LGBTQ training for staff and LGBTQ fam trips.
• Kobe Convention & Tourism Bureau (神戸観光局)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2024Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Kobe Convention & Tourism Bureau signed a partnership agreement to coordinate tourism promotion ahead of EXPO 2025, working together on regional Kansai tourism strategy.
• Takayama City (高山市)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2023Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Takayama City signed a partnership agreement to promote sustainable tourism destination management, leveraging Osaka as a gateway for international visitors to also visit Takayama and vice versa, in preparation for EXPO 2025 and beyond.
• IHG Hotels & ResortsmoderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 November 2022Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and IHG Hotels & Resorts signed the first foreign-owned Official Partner contract, collaborating on international tourism promotion.
• Sint-Truiden VV (シント＝トロイデンVV)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2022Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Belgian football club Sint-Truiden VV signed a comprehensive partnership agreement for sports exchange and mutual tourism promotion.
• Mayors' Coalition for EXPO 2025 (首長連合)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2022The Mayors' Coalition for EXPO 2025 signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau to create future society through regional collaboration centered on EXPO 2025.
• Airbnb JapancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2022Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Airbnb Japan signed a comprehensive partnership agreement for promoting tourism through home-sharing and contributing to economic development in Osaka. The partnership aims to leverage home-sharing accommodations to enhance visitor experiences and distribute tourism benefits more broadly across the region.
• TEAM EXPO FES (TEAM EXPO 2025共創パートナー)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2022Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau registered as a Co-creation Partner in TEAM EXPO 2025, contributing to the collaborative project leading up to EXPO 2025.
• JTBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 March 2022Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and JTB signed a comprehensive partnership agreement for tourism promotion including information center co-location, destination marketing, and tourism product development.
• Tokyo Tourism Foundation (東京観光財団)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 December 2021Tokyo Tourism Foundation and Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau signed a comprehensive partnership agreement to jointly promote tourism between Tokyo and Osaka, share marketing insights, and collaborate on destination management best practices.
• Weibo (微博)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 February 2021Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Weibo entered into a strategic mutual cooperation agreement to promote Osaka tourism to Chinese audiences. Weibo awarded the bureau's official account the 'Best Tourism City Award.' Cooperation includes virtual city promotion on Weibo's platform and tour creation for inbound marketing.
• Kochi Prefecture and Kochi Tourism Convention Association (高知県・高知県観光コンベンション協会)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2020Comprehensive partnership agreement signed between Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Kochi Prefecture for mutual tourism promotion.
• Human Planning (大阪エヴェッサ)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Human Planning (operator of Osaka Evessa professional basketball team) signed a cooperation agreement to promote sports tourism and basketball viewing tourism, with player Goda Rei appointed as Osaka Tourism Ambassador.
• Nagano Prefecture and Nagano Tourism Organization (長野県・長野県観光機構)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2019Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Nagano Prefecture/Tourism Organization signed a comprehensive partnership for mutual tourism promotion and regional tourism exchange.
• NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes (NTTドーム レッドハリケーンズ)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2019Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes signed a partnership agreement to promote rugby tourism and Osaka's sports appeal internationally. VVV Fandel Valt (Vinyle Van der Valt) appointed as Osaka Tourism Ambassador.
• Ctrip (Trip.com Group)moderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 July 2019Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau partnered with Ctrip for Osaka gourmet promotion featuring special content on the platform to drive inbound tourism from China.
• Kaga City (加賀市)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2019Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Kaga City signed a comprehensive partnership agreement to develop new tourism routes positioning Osaka as a gateway and Kaga's hot springs and cultural assets as destination options for inbound tourists.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO): Japan's national DMO responsible for inbound tourism promotion across the country. Highly comparable to OCTB's core mandate of attracting international visitors and promoting Japanese destinations, but operates at the national level with a much larger budget and broader scope.
• Singapore Tourism Board (STB): Asia-leading national DMO with destination branding, MICE attraction (via Singapore EXPO), and a strong data-driven marketing function. Comparable in MICE attraction and international visitor targeting, but operates nationally with a much larger promotional budget.
• Hong Kong Tourism Board: Statutory body promoting Hong Kong as a destination for leisure and MICE. Structurally analogous to OCTB as an established Asian destination marketing organization with similar mega-event, MICE, and inbound tourism mandates.

Regional players

• Korea Tourism Organization (KTO): National DMO for South Korea focused on inbound tourism promotion across similar source markets (China, Japan, Southeast Asia, US). Provides both direct peer benchmarking on tourism marketing strategy and indirect competitive context for inbound traveler share.
• Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT): National DMO responsible for promoting Thailand as a destination for international leisure and MICE visitors. Comparable in mandate and target markets across Southeast Asia and long-haul source markets, though operating nationally rather than regionally.

Others

• Brand USA: Public-private national DMO for the United States promoting inbound visitation. Comparable destination marketing structure, PPP funding model (federal plus partner fees), and data-driven marketing approach; OCTB's member + government funding hybrid mirrors this arrangement.

Direct peers

• Kyoto City Tourism Association (DMO Kyoto): Lead DMO for Kyoto, another major Kansai inbound destination. Same Japanese DMO structure, similar mix of inbound and domestic tourism promotion, MICE support, and visitor services - making it one of OCTB's most direct functional comparisons in-region.
• Japan Convention Bureau (JCB): National body dedicated to attracting international conferences, meetings, and incentive events to Japan. Direct overlap with OCTB's MICE attraction mandate and bid support functions; OCTB effectively serves as JCB's delivery arm at the Osaka destination level.
• Kobe Convention & Tourism Bureau: Kansai-region peer DMO that signed a partnership with OCTB in 2024 to coordinate tourism promotion ahead of EXPO 2025. Operates the same public-interest foundation model for a neighboring prefecture, with parallel MICE attraction, member programs, and inbound marketing functions.
• Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB): Tokyo's regional DMO promoting tourism and MICE attraction for Japan's largest city market. OCTB and TCVB signed a comprehensive partnership agreement in 2021 to jointly promote Tokyo-Osaka itineraries, reflecting their parallel structure and overlapping international marketing mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/octb

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau