Insights: 2016
The articles of 2016 from JTB Tourism Research & Consulting Co..
Language-bed exchange?
Sharing economy is an economic model in which individuals are able to borrow or rent assets owned by someone else, not fully utilized all the time. Using online platform such as SNS, the sharing economy is growing rapidly and changing the way we buy and use products and services in several industries. Tourism is not an exception and Air B&B and Uber are changing already established hierarchies. While traveling, we all experienced how language is important to communicate and it is not without reason the existence of proverb ‘As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being’. Since last March, a new service is born offering exchange between language and accommodation. (EDO)
Edouard Tripkovic KatayamaAdvisory Consultant
Bank robbery -93.6%
In 1661 Sweden became the first European country to make national bank notes. Stockholm’s Royal Institute of Technology released a report Sweden may soon become world’s first cashless society. Cashless tendency started 20 years ago with increase of credit cards and was accelerated in 2012 with Sw...
From Industry Revolution to Travel Innovation
Detroit is becoming one of leading Street Art destinations with important increase of tourists from all continents during festivals where people can see artists creating their arts. The city is an example where both, infrastructure development and innovative tourism approach made perfect marriage putting accent on the city as affirmed tourism destination. Japanese regions and cities might take Detroit’s development as a model and use segments which will fit the best to projected expectations. （Edo）
Edouard Tripkovic KatayamaAdvisory Consultant
Japan and Asia Market
Physical inactivity costs US$ 67.5 billion for the global economy
British medical magazine The Lancet published online on July 27th, results of research of economic burden of physical inactivity in the world, which is the first on global level. Research includes data of 142 countries representing 93.2% of the world’s population. Economic figures could inform resource prioritisation and motivate efforts to increase levels of physical activity.
Make a good choice
Croatia has a long history reaching Roman period culture and tradition, also known as one of the European countries with the most beautiful nature. Becoming independent from Yugoslavia in ’91, it is a young country. After the end of civil war in ’95, economic situation was almost inexistent and visitors were not coming. Beneficing of natural environment, tourism become major factor for country’s recovery. More than continuity from the past, we can say Croatia took a new start.Columnist worked from 2007 to 2015 as Director of Croatian National Tourist Board in Japan and was covering several East Asia countries. During that time, he presented Croatia as a new destination and Japanese tourists’ recorded big increase from 64,000 in 2006 to 160,000 in 2015. There is an expectation that the tourism will take an important role in Japanese regional development. Most of Japanese regions just start to make tourism promotion and in some points, it reminds Croatia. Through columnist’s experience, we want to consider more about ‘Make a good choice’ in Japan.
Edouard Tripkovic KatayamaAdvisory Consultant
Japan and Asia Market
Earn up to $ 300 per year
American insurance group Aetna started an unusual and original initiative to increase working efficiency by increasing staff’s night sleep time. For staffs who want to participate to the program, the group provides up to ＄300 reward per year. Staff can earn ＄25 for every 20 nights in which they sleep at least seven hours, a limit of ＄300 for every 12 months. This project started in 2014 when 12,300 people joined it, recording an increase in 2015 with total of 17,300 within 49,500 employees the group counts. Each staff manually record how long they have slept every night and the system is based on trust, important factor for the success of the program creating stronger relations between employer and employee.
Another 40 Million people and EU
Japanese Government announced on March 30th ambitious move targeting double of previously estimated figures of overseas traveler arrivals, up to 40 million until 2020. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Government also target more than double of last year’s record overseas visitors spending from 3,48 trillion to 8 trillion in 2020, year Tokyo will host Olympic and Paralympic Games.