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History of the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau

Jan.1968
Okinawa Tourism Federation established by Okinawa Tourism Federation Act
(Legislation No. 107, 1967)
May.1968
Naha and Tomari ports’ Duty Free Shops opened
Construction of OkinawaUnderwaterPark (Marine Observatory) begins
Jun.1969
YagajiFishingCenter begins operations
Feb.1970
Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters restoration complete, open to public
Aug.1970
OkinawaUnderwaterPark (Underwater Marine Observatory) begins operations
Mar.1971
Cape Maeda Youth Hostel opens
May.1972
With OkinawaPrefecture’s reversion to Japan, Okinawa Prefecture Tourism
Development Corporation takes over the duties of Okinawa Tourism Federation
Apr.1975
Nagoura Inn is contracted as the prefecture’s housing facility
Feb.1976
MarineLifeObservationCenter is established at the OkinawaUnderwaterPark
Mar.1978
Okinawa’s top 35 sightseeing spots selected in a joint poll with Ryukyu Shimpo Newspaper
May.1978
Cape Maeda Youth Hostel operations transfer to Japan Youth Hostel Association
Apr.1979
2nd Kariyushi Beach Opening held
Oct.1979
Merged with and assumed functions of Okinawa Resort Development Corporation 6th All-Japan Windsurfing Competition co-sponsored by the Windsurfing Federation Japan and OkinawaPrefecture
Jan.1980
“Okinawa Wear” design open call contest
Feb.1980
Routine Training on Tourism project
Aug.1981
Tourism Week and Tourism Day projects
Oct.1981
8th World Windsurfing Competition co-sponsored by the IWCA (International Windsurfer Class Association) and OkinawaPrefecture
May.1982
To commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Okinawa’s reversion to Japan, Okinawa Tourism Festivals held in Tokyo and Osaka
Oct.1983
10th All-Japan Windsurfer Class Competition held
Aug.1984
Okinawa Tourism and Culture Gallery begins operations
Nov.1984
Tourism Promotion for Local Districts begins
Aug.1986
Goodwill Guides Project begins to support international tourism
Jan.1988
Flower Carnival held as a joint project between the prefecture and a federation of tourism associations to promote winter tourism in Okinawa
Jun.1988
Okinawa Ocean Carnival evolves from the Kariyushi Beach Opening event
Dec.1988
Suntopia Okinawa is held to promote Okinawa’s mild winters
Feb.1989
The Okinawa Karate and Kobudo Meet takes place as a tourism resource development project as precursor to the World Martial Arts Meet
Jul.1990
Aquapolis Management Foundation duties, staff and property are inherited
Aug.1990
Karate-do and Kobudo World Meet takes place as part of the World Uchinanchu Festival
May.1991
Diving Schools Project created to help promote tourism and resort industries
Mar.1992
Underwater Images Project starts recording ocean scenes of Okinawa
Apr.1992
OkinawaUnderseaPark operations suspended as Cape Busena Seaside Resort Development Plan launched
May.1992
To commemorate the restoration of Shuji Castle, Ryukyu Kingdom and Cultural Images Archive project begins collecting images of cultural legacies from Japan and abroad
Oct.1993
4th All-Japan Goodwill Guides Meeting held in association with Japan National Tourist Organization
Mar.1994
To diversify marine leisure activities, research project on open water sports begins
Apr.1994
Tourism Development Agency and Tourism Federation merge into the Okinawa Visitors Bureau to better coordinate efforts on creating an international resort industry
Nov.1994
Taiwan Visitors Association Cooperation Agreement made to promote friendship as well as exchanges in tourism and information
Oct.1995
GrandRyukyuKingdom Festival highlights historical and cultural resources as a new tourist attraction “Churashima Okinawa Campaign” launched as an appeal for Okinawa as a tourist destination both in and outside the prefecture
Apr.1996
To handle the increased attention towards Okinawa as a convention location, the Okinawa Visitors Bureau, OkinawaConvention Center and the Okinawa Convention Bureau merge to create the present Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau
Jun.1996
Publicity launched regarding sister affiliation with Hawaii Visitors Bureau OCVB’s tenet and emblem chosen
Oct.1996
Haisai Okinawa League begins
Apr.1997
Tourist Information System in place (via facsimile) Osaka Branch Office opens World Tall Ships Festival held
Jul.1997
Underwater Marine Observatory restored
Aug.1997
Volunteer Guide Association established
Apr.1999
Nagoura Inn closes
Jun.2003
“mahae plus” website launched
Apr.2000
Management and operation of Bankoku Shinryokan, a resort convention venue, entrusted from Okinawa Prefecture.
Jul.2000
"G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit 2000” held in Bankoku Shinryokan
Apr.2003
Okinawa Film Office established.
Apr.2005
"46th Annual Meeting of The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)" held at the Okinawa Convention Center.