‘Tsugitsugi,’ a subscription-based accommodation service operated by Tokyu, was named a finalist in the "Travel Innovation & New Business Model Award" category at the Tourism Innovation Awards 2026 (TIS2026), one of the world’s largest international tourism awards. This marks the first time a Japanese company was selected as a finalist for this award.
‘Tsugitsugi’ operates on a subscription model: users purchase monthly accommodation points, which they can then use to stay at any of over 500 partner hotels across Japan. While conventional travel typically begins with deciding on a trip and subsequently searching for a place to stay, ‘Tsugitsugi’ reverses this process. By securing the right to stay at various locations in advance, users are encouraged to plan trips based on the availability of these accommodations, which creates a new style of travel behavior.
Also, the service helps lodging facilities utilize vacant rooms by generating demand during weekdays and off-peak periods. Furthermore, its closed, membership-based structure helps prevent the erosion of market prices while contributing to a more balanced distribution of accommodation demand across different days of the week and times of the year.
Travel Innovation & New Business Model Award highlights innovative business models that are reshaping the tourism sector, including vertical platforms, hybrid models, and new approaches to distribution and monetization.
There were 221 entries from 41 countries to six award categories in 2026. 18 finalists were selected, three for each of the six award categories. All of these finalists were recognized for their achievements, with one entry in each category ultimately receiving the top prize.
The top prizes in six categories
THE BEST NEXT-GEN CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: Radisson Hotel Group for Hyperlocal, an AI-powered customer experience program that connects hotel guests with authentic local destinations, hidden gems, and curated neighborhood experiences.
THE BEST SMART DESTINATION & DATA INNOVATION: Fundación Visit València for FOCUSa, its Intelligence System, designed to foster smart, sustainable, and balanced tourism management.
THE EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABLE & REGENERATIVE TOURISM: Association Dark Sky for Dark Sky Alqueva, a regenerative destination model in which tourism can only exist by protecting the natural night sky.
DIVERSITY, TALENT & FUTURE WORKFORCE: NSR of Audi Arabia for addressing a workforce-readiness gap common to fast-growing tourism destinations: bridging the distance between acquiring a tour guide license and delivering high-quality, field-ready tourism experiences.
THE BEST TRAVEL INNOVATION & NEW BUSINESS MODEL AWARD: Wheel the World for Accessibility Verified, the business model that made accessible travel provable, fundable and renewable.
THE BEST AI & DIGITAL INNOVATION IMPACT: Canary Technologies for its AI platform for hotel and guest management, trusted by 20,000+ hotels in 125+ countries, driving hotel revenue, improving the guest experiences and giving staff time back.
