米国西海岸視察で、現地の日本専門旅行会社に訪問したかった。一番のショックは私が住んでいたころの地元の日本系旅行会社の皆が無くなりました。代わりに、大手日本旅行会社ＨＩＳやＪＴＢ，産経トラベル、ＩＡＣＥが主流となった。後はインターネット。
その四件に訪問したが、大半の客さんが日本人だそうです。でも、現地の人達はＪＲパスの買い求めで来る事がある。中国系の旅行会社にも。
取り敢えず、戸倉上山田の魅力や体験商品、松本城やスノーモンキーの結び方などＰＲしておきました。

During my biz trip to the US West Coast, I intended to visit as many travel agents as possible. My first shock was that the agents specializing in Japan that were around when I was living in Seattle had all disappeared. The major Japanese agents like JTB, HIS, IACE and Sankei Travel had replaced them. While they get a few local customers, especially ones coming to purchase a JR Rail Pass, most of their business is with Japanese living in the area. Apparently locals research everything on the internet.
I went ahead and explained about Togura-Kamiyamada, our various cultural activities, and how we are central to Matsumoto Castle and the Snow Monkeys.