私の憧れのＣＷニコル氏が17日に戸倉上山田温泉で講演会をやってくれました。私が担当している経済産業省「クールジャパン」の事業で、この温泉タウン戸倉上山田温泉をどうやって海外の観光客に売り込むかと言う事業で、ニコルさんは環境のテーマからお話ししてくれた。海外の観光地の事例や、本人の手を入れて育っている黒姫の森、そして「元気」な自然環境は訪ねる人も「元気」を与える力がある事。一番感心したのは、環境を守ると言うのは人にやってもらうのではなく、自ら汗をかけないと駄目だとの事。
私の宣伝不足で、ニコル氏の講演会の為に10人しか集まらないかと心配しましたが、先輩の方や周りの宿の協力のお蔭で100人以上参加してくれました。大成功に終わって、良かった。
これからはニコル氏から頂いた言葉をどうやって形にするかと言う宿題。
Old Nic, as Mr. CW Nicol likes to be called, is one-of-a-kind adventurer. (That's what he describes his job title as -- an adventurer!) He is someone I've gotten to know about ever since first coming to Japan, and have always looked up to. So it was an honor and a privelege to get to meet Old Nic in person, and organize a seminar for him to give a talk at.
Old Nic's talk took place at the 7th floor "Sky Lounge" of neighboring Seifuen. With the Chikuma River and Mt. Gorigamine in the background, he explained about his efforts to revitalize a forest in Kurohime, Nagano. In addition, he also gave several other recent examples of restoring natural sites in major tourist areas in North America and Europe. But it was his stories about how rejuvinated forests and wetlands have the power to rejuvinate the people who visit that struck the biggest cord with the participants.
Speaking of which, at first it seemed like only about 10 people would show up for the talk. But with some SOS assistance by my fellow innkeepers, we managed to get over 100 people to attend.
Next step will be to put Old Nic's words into action!
