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 of Beppu this week.
Mrs Chadwick has accepted an invitation from the Mayor of Beppu Hiroshi Hamada to join commemorations marking Beppu's 90th anniversary of city status and the 100th anniversary of the city's famous 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 significant tourism destination.
Mayor Hamada's invitation to join him for Beppu's anniversary celebrations also provides 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.