Travel Sectors
JTB and Taiwan-based travel tech work together to establish a cross-border digital base for local activities in Japan
JTB, Good Fellows JTB and Taiwan-based Fontrip Technology Japan are collaborating in accelerating cross-border tourism. ‘TOHOKU FunPASS,’ a digital sightseeing pass for the Tohoku region, was launched.
Rakuten Travel Xchange connects Japan with the world in distributing hotel inventories
Rakuten Travel Xchange distributes the world’s hotel inventories through global OTAs and whole sellers as well as Rakuten Travel and Rakuten STAY inventories in Japan. CEO James Park talked about its innovative B2B distribution.
Tourism EXPO Japan 2026 welcomed 183,270 visitors in total, more than the last EXPO in Tokyo
Tourism EXPO Japan 2026, held for four days from September 24 to 27 2026, welcomed 183,270 visitors in total. Tourism EXPO Japan 2027 will be held at Tokyo Big Sight for four days from September 23 to 26 2027.
JAL starts selling NDC international air tickets via Amadeus for 26 countries and regions
JAL is launching the global rollout of NDC (New Distribution Capability) contents for international air tickets via the Amadeus Travel Platform.
145 Michelin Key Hotels, including seven 3 Michelin Keys, are selected in Japan with 19 new entries
‘Michelin Key Hotel Selection 2026' was announced. In Japan, seven 3 Michelin Keys, 23 2 Michelin Keys and 115 1 Michelin Keys were awarded.
WTTC, JATA and Tourism EXPO Japan form a partnership to strengthen global competitiveness of the Japan’s travel industry
WTTC, JATA and the Tourism EXPO Japan (TEJ) Executive Committee signed a new MOU to strengthen collaboration between Japan's travel and tourism industry and the global tourism industry.
Japanese Prime Minister says that tourism should be a ‘strategic industry’ in Japan at Tourism EXPO Japan 2026
The 12th Tourism EXPO Japan (TEJ) 2026 with a theme of ‘The Changing Nature of Travel’ opened at Tokyo Big Sight on September 24 2026. Japanese Prime Minister says that tourism should be a ‘strategic industry’ in Japan
JTB tests AI Smart Glasses for International guests at hotels and tourist information, eyeing the future commercialization
JTB Inbound Trip (JIT) and ThinkAR Japan signed an agreement on expansion of AI wearable solutions in the tourism and hospitality industry of Japan.
GREEN×EXPO 2027 overview was unveiled 6 months before opening, featuring National Days for 59 countries and organizations
‘GREEN×EXPO 2027’ with a theme of ‘Scenery of the Future for Happiness’ will open on March 19 2027 in Yokohama City. Outlines of the event was unveiled.
Tourism Australia promotes tourism marketing ‘Chosen by AI,’ expecting further growth of the Japan market
Catherine O'Brien, Executive General Manager of Global Markets at Tourism Australia talked about the 10-years ‘Tourism 2035’ strategy and AI adaptation.
JTB new CEO talks about the company’s growth strategy from the restructuring of its global operations to the inbound travel
Tomo Aomi. who took office as President and CEO of JTB on June 30 2026, talked about the company’s growth strategy from the restructuring of its global operations to the inbound travel.
HIS, a leading Japanese travel agency, acquires a US-based inbound travel agency to strengthen its businesses in North America
HIS has decided to acquire shares in American Ring Travel, Inc. (ART) based in California, USA to strengthen the company's business foundation in North America.
Four major Japanese travel agencies launch a new organization to promote higher-valued sports hospitality tourism
KNT, JTB, Pia and Tobu Top Tours launched Sports Hospitality Promotion Council (SHPC) to develop the sports industry and activate local economies in Japan.
The most popular overseas destination is Hawaii in the five-consecutive holidays in September, according to JTB
In so-called ‘Sliver Week,’ five-consecutive holidays (September 19 to 23 2026), The most popular FIT (without tour conductor) overseas destination is Hawaii, according to JTB.
The top Japanese amusement park operator in sales is Oriental Land operating Tokyo Disneyland Resort
Sales of 122 amusement park operators in Japan were up 3.4% year on year to 1.1 trillion yen in total in FY2025. Oriental Land (Tokyo Disney Resort) topped the list at 588.171 billion yen.
Haneda Airport Terminal 1 is expanded with additional six boarding gates, reducing bus transfers
The Terminal 1 North Satellite for domestic flights of Haneda Airport opened with six additional boarding gates on September 1 2026, reducing bus transfers required for boarding and disembarking aircraft
HIS offers ‘AI Avatar’ for Japanese travelers to South Korea, integrating knowledge of 275 HIS experts
HIS offers AI Concierge ‘HIS AI Avatar’ for Japanese travelers to South Korea, integrating knowledge of 275 HIS experts for South Korea.
United Airlines will launch San Francisco-Naha, Okinawa services on March 27 2027
United Airlines will begin serving three flights a week between San Francisco and Naha, Okinawa on March 27 2027 as a part of the airline’s international network expansion plan in 2027.
JTB forms a partnership with ‘Bounce’ to deliver travelers’ baggage on Shinkansen on the same day
JTB and baggage storage service provider Bounce forms a partnership to provide "same-day long-distance delivery" services, such as between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka, using the Tokaido Shinkansen.
VERTRA, a Japanese activity booking platform, signs MOU with Big Bus Tours for Hop-on Hop-off in Japan
VERTRA, a Japanese activity booking platform, signs MOU with London-based Big Bus Tours to look for feasibility of Hop-on Hop-off in Japan.
