Travel Industry in Japan

[passthedutchie]

Hello:

I have worked as a part-time travel agent for the past 2 years here in Canada. I am going to Japan (Osaka) in August to teach English, and I was wondering if there is an opportunity to continue selling travel over there.

I was just wondering how the Japanese travel industry is, especially for expats. How are the prices in Japan for trips throughout Asia compared to Canada and the United States? Is there an opportunity to market to the expat community for guided, hotel-based adventures to places like Tibet, China, Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, etc.? Most of the trips include meals, accomodations, and group leaders.

Thanks.

[Jack]

Unless you are fluent in Japanese, there is very little opportunities to work in the travel industry. All computer systems and information is in Japanese.

Generally the travel/tour business in Japan is a lot more upscale than it is in Canada, esepcially with the older (over-50) crowd. Younger people generally tend to take the cheapest airfare and use youth hostels.

All inclusive packages is the most popular in Japan.

In any event, you must be fluent in Japanese or else find a bartender's job in Osaka. You'll have much more fun.

[passthedutchie]

Unless you are fluent in Japanese, there is very little opportunities to work in the travel industry. All computer systems and information is in Japanese.

Well I plan on marketing only to the expat community. I don't want to deal with any of the Japanese tour ops, rather with the contacts I have made here who can still easily sell me the packages while in Japan. The tours ops I have connections with are located in Canada and Australia, and they offer great tours to Asian destinations especially for those 20-35, and on a budget.

I would also continue to use the computer system that I use here for reservations, as well as the internet.

Generally the travel/tour business in Japan is a lot more upscale than it is in Canada, esepcially with the older (over-50) crowd. Younger people generally tend to take the cheapest airfare and use youth hostels.

Many of my tours offer locally/family owned accommodation, and since I will be ignoring the Japanese market, I don't think I would have to worry about upscale tours.

All inclusive packages is the most popular in Japan.

As it is in Canada. We're notorious for it.

In any event, you must be fluent in Japanese or else find a bartender's job in Osaka. You'll have much more fun.

Even if I only plan to market to the expat community, such as the English teachers who are looking to travel to other Asian destinations? Call me crazy, but wouldn't they rather deal with an English-speaking travel agent who can offer them the types of tours that they want?

I'm just looking for ideas and market opportunities to make more money while there. I already have a full-time job lined up, so I don't need to be bartending, but thanks anyway for the great advice.

[Jack]

The expat community in Japan is very small and frankly many are there to enjoy Japan so very few would take trips outside. Furthermore, many expats want to learn Japanese or already speak the language, so they would not necessarily look for English services. Consider that a lot of expats are French, Germans, Scandinavians, and from all over the world for whom English or Japanese are on the same level. You are assuming that all expats are from English-speaking countries, which is not the case.

I was very serious about the bartending job. One of my friend from Canada did that for one year in Osaka and he loved it.