Luxury Travel Seminar

Event Information

Date: Wednesday, October 8th, 2025 from 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.)

Venue: Patina Ballroom, Patina Osaka

In line with the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau’s mission to position Osaka as a leading destination for luxury travel, we are pleased to host the Luxury Travel Seminar. The luxury travel sector generates significant revenue, benefiting not only tourism but also a wide range of related industries, thereby creating a strong positive economic impact. Yet, many professionals still lack a clear understanding of this market. To address this, we have partnered with Sam Blunsdon of Connections Luxury, who will share insights on global luxury travel trends, Osaka’s current position, and the steps needed to shape its future.

What is Connections Luxury?

Founded in 2014 by the UK-based travel media company Jacobs Media Group, Connections Luxury is an exclusive membership network for luxury travel professionals. The program has been hosted in destinations around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Bahrain, and South Korea, with past events in Japan taking place in Tokyo.

• Connections Luxury

Luxury Travel Seminar Schedule

3:30 p.m.　Reception Begins

4:00 p.m.　Seminar 1: How Global Insights Can Shape Osaka’s Evolving Luxury Strategy

Speaker: Sam Blunsdon, Connections Luxury Head of Commercial and Tourism Promotion *with consecutive interpretation

5:00 p.m.　Seminar 2: Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Initiatives to Increase Luxury Travel

Speaker: Goro Imura, Director of Inbound Promotion and Luxury Travel Division, The 2025 World Exposition (EXPO 2025) & Integrated Resort (IR) Department, Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

How to Apply（First-come first-serve)

• Application Form

How to get to Patina Osaka:

• Access