At ぐるっと会津, you can publish store information not only in Japanese but also in multiple languages such as English, Chinese, and Korean. Foreign tourists and travel agencies research stores online and with AI before coming to Japan; the more a store can be understood in their native language, the more likely it is to be chosen as a "shop you can enter with confidence," and reservation rates change significantly.

Foreign tourists keep increasing in Aizu

Inbound demand is surging in the Aizu area.
・Overnight stays by foreign visitors in the Aizu region: 33,838 (record high; 185% year-on-year)
・Overnight stays by foreigners in Fukushima Prefecture: 186,160 (2023)
・Across Japan as a whole, inbound visitors are also on the rise

In other words, Aizu is no longer an "area with few foreigners," but is turning into a place they already visit. Meanwhile, as many stores have felt, the decline of Japanese tourists and local customers will continue to progress due to population decline.

Even so, Aizu is a region with exceptional potential. Attractions that are easy for overseas visitors to appreciate—such as Tsuruga Castle, Ouchi-juku, sake brewery culture, and samurai culture—are concentrated here, so an increase in foreign tourists is expected. In fact, the number of overnight guests is recovering and trending upward, and it is beginning to shift to a structure where "domestic customers decrease while overseas customers increase."

This means we are entering an era where, rather than lamenting the decline of Japanese customers, only stores that can attract foreign tourists will grow. To continue doing business in Aizu, it is important to broaden your focus from mainly local customers to also include tourists and overseas visitors.

Why a lack of multilingual support leads to lost opportunities

Foreign tourists
・don’t enter stores they can’t read
・avoid stores where they can’t understand the menu
・exclude stores that don’t allow online reservations

In other words, even if people know you exist, you end up "not being chosen." Stores with only Japanese may appear in search results but have low visit rates, missing out on sales opportunities.

Respond effortlessly with a QR code menu

Using our QR code menu, once you register, it is automatically translated and there is no need to print by language. Price changes and menu additions are reflected immediately, and it also reduces the burden on staff explanations.

Advantageous for AI search and Google

Information organized in multiple languages is easier for Google Search and AI search to understand, increasing the likelihood of being introduced as a "recommended shop." The multilingual support of ぐるっと会津 is a mechanism that simultaneously improves inbound customer acquisition, reservation rates, operational efficiency, and search rankings. Now it’s not that "foreigners aren’t coming," but rather that they are only coming to stores that are prepared.

Why ぐるっと会津 excels in AI search

At ぐるっと会津, store information, menus, and the latest updates are organized in formats that AI and search engines can easily understand. As a result, it is more readily recognized as a reliable source, increasing the likelihood of being cited or featured by AI. A major strength is not simply listing information, but communicating in a way that AI understands.

Content design that AI is likely to choose

We can build a structure that clearly organizes a store’s features and strengths and conveys information accurately using FAQ formats and numerical data. Regular updates ensure it is consistently evaluated as fresh, trustworthy information and recognized as a “store that’s easy to recommend.”

What’s needed next: AI strategy × customer acquisition

In addition to SEO and Google Maps measures, AI search optimization (AIO) is essential. By listing on ぐるっと会津, you can implement all of these at once, putting next‑generation customer acquisition measures in place even without specialized knowledge.

ぐるっと会津 supports the customer acquisition of the future

We create an environment in which you’re more likely to be chosen by both search and AI, building mechanisms that lead to steady foot traffic. ぐるっと会津’s role is to realize this locally, reducing your marketing worries and enabling you to focus on service and hospitality.

What Is MEO Optimization

MEO optimization is a set of initiatives to raise your store’s ranking on Google Maps and strengthen customer acquisition from the local area. The higher you appear for searches such as "nearby restaurant," "Aizu cafe," or "Aizu hair salon," the more likely it is to lead to visits.

In recent years, the way people look for stores has changed: many smartphone users are said to check the map before the search results, and the share of people who consult Google Maps information and reviews before visiting has increased significantly. Compared with SEO, MEO tends to show results more easily, and its impact on foot traffic is often felt in a relatively short period of time.

MEO Benefits from Listing on ぐるっと会津

By listing on ぐるっと会津, information such as store name, address, and phone number is accurately unified, increasing Google’s trust. As a result, higher rankings on Google Maps can be expected. In addition, being introduced by a local media outlet enhances your evaluation as a store, further strengthening MEO.

Synergy through Integration with Social Media and Google Business Profile

By leveraging ぐるっと会津’s social media integration and Google Business Profile integration, the effects of MEO are further enhanced. Posts from Instagram and other platforms are automatically reflected on the store page and on Google, naturally increasing the frequency of updates and leading to improved search evaluations and higher rankings. Without adding special tasks, your everyday social media operations become customer acquisition measures as they are.

Benefits Gained from MEO Optimization

MEO allows you to directly approach users with high intent to visit, which is expected to increase the number of store visits. The accumulation of reviews also boosts credibility, helping your shop grow into a place customers choose with confidence. Being able to attract customers without advertising costs, and to differentiate yourself from competitors, is another major appeal.