SEKIYA RESORT Holds Future-Creating Training Program 'POF'

SEKIYA RESORT held its internal training program 'POF (Picture of the Future)' over two days on June 2 and 3, 2026.

POF (Picture of the Future) is a training program designed to envision the future of SEKIYA RESORT and its organizational structure while considering changes in the tourism industry and social environment. Employees, who usually focus on their own work and careers, spent these two days thinking about the 'future of the company and organization' and what they should do now by working backwards from that future.

The training was attended by 12 top performers from a pre-administered test. The instructor was Asuka Takahashi, Chief Representative of Shiji Japan and former Restaurant Manager of Andaz Tokyo, who has been involved in numerous hotel openings. Ms. Takahashi also serves as an advisor for SEKIYA RESORT's condominium business.

Two Days to Envision and Shape the Future

The first day of the training began with a lecture by Ms. Takahashi. After learning about the changing environment surrounding the tourism industry and domestic and international examples, as well as the perspectives required for the future of the lodging industry, a mission was announced to the participants.

The participants were divided into four teams to discuss and plan their respective themes. On the first evening, they held a social gathering and stayed overnight at Hotel Shiragiku, deepening cross-departmental and cross-facility exchanges while continuing their discussions.

The next day, each team presented their results, proposing ideas for the future of SEKIYA RESORT and the tourism industry.

Tackling Practical Challenges with the New Facility 'Rock & Steam'

The mission for this training focused on the new facility 'Rock & Steam,' which SEKIYA RESORT plans to open.

Rock & Steam is a hotel condominium project, a model still rare in Kyushu. As it is a business model different from traditional lodging facilities, it requires multifaceted perspectives, including new customer experiences, sales strategies, and building relationships with owners.

Participants worked on the following themes while envisioning future business operations:

- Discover potential owners from among hotel guests
- 100-question challenge from customers
- Consider sales channels
- Verbalize emotional value

By discussing based on actual business challenges, this was an opportunity not only to generate ideas for the opening but also to deepen understanding of the facility's potential and value proposition.

Furthermore, by having each on-site employee think about the future as a stakeholder, rather than treating the opening as a project solely for management, it became an opportunity for the entire organization to share a vision and draw a common direction.

Creating New Value by Working Backwards from the Future

The environment surrounding the tourism industry continues to change significantly due to demographic shifts, diversifying values, and technological evolution.

SEKIYA RESORT believes that cultivating the ability to think from the future, not just solving immediate problems, is crucial for future organizational development.

POF is not a training program for predicting the future, but an initiative to develop human resources who can envision the future themselves and take action to realize it.

SEKIYA RESORT will continue to foster next-generation leaders and improve organizational strength through human resource development, providing new value to its customers.

For the official SEKIYA RESORT website, please visit:

https://www.sekiyaresort.jp/

For more information on Rock & Steam:

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000103.000151015.html

■ About SEKIYA RESORT

GALLERIA MIDOBARU Terrace Midobaru Bettei Haruki

SEKIYA RESORT Co., Ltd., based in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, operates ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) and hotels, as well as new businesses, under the philosophy of 'Brightening the world and people through travel,' building on over 120 years of history in the lodging industry.

Representative Director Taichiro Hayashi has worked on creating accommodations that break away from the traditional hot spring ryokan mold, pioneering the designer ryokan 'Bettei Haruki' in Beppu and establishing a new style of lodging. He has grown sales more than 30-fold since joining the company, creating new value for the region.

Currently, the company operates three facilities in Beppu City: 'Bettei Haruki,' 'Terrace Midobaru,' and 'GALLERIA MIDOBARU.' Each has gained support from many customers with its distinct concept. 'GALLERIA MIDOBARU' has won domestic and international design awards, and 'Terrace Midobaru' was selected as the top among approximately 1,500 companies nationwide in the '5th Ryokan Koshien Grand Prix.'

The company has also been selected as a Best Company in the 'Best Companies to Work For' ranking by Great Place to Work® Institute Japan.

Furthermore, it is taking on new businesses such as the development, sale, and operation of the hotel condominium '100-Year Villa™' series, challenging the expansion of the very value of travel.

Sekiya Resort will continue to grow with the region, aiming to create value that brightens people and the world through travel.

■ Company Overview

Company Name: SEKIYA RESORT Co., Ltd.

Representative: Taichiro Hayashi

Head Office Address: 5-57 Horita-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture 874-0831, Japan

Established: June 8, 1965

Business: Operation of ryokan and hotels; ownership and management of real estate, ryokan, and hotels; aquaculture; catering, etc.