Japan – a Love of a Lifetime

Japan, the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, is one of the most exotic tourist destinations in the world. “The true magnificence of Japan is that it offers something for everyone.” That is how Karolina Simon, the head of travel agency and tour operator Japanspecialist, describes the attractiveness of the far-eastern island country for visitors. With over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, she currently oversees Japanspecialist's global sales and operation, also being responsible for the overall market performance and strategic planning of the brand.

Karolina’s affinity for Japan shines through wherever and whenever she talks about her job. She recalls to Diplomacy&Trade that she joined the travel company in 2004 and was introduced to Japan and Japanese culture. “At that time, travel to Japan was a curiosity in Hungary, so, it was rarely offered by other agencies. I picked up the knowledge little by little over the years, but the more I learned about Japan and its customs, the more I felt that my knowledge was still not enough, so, I took every opportunity. I soon realized that for me, Japan is a love of a lifetime. As a travel ambassador, I have been promoting the diversity of the country ever since and I am proud to say that Japan has never disappointed anyone.”

Personalized itinerary
Japanspecialist seems to be more than just a travel agency. As Karolina explains, “nowadays, many travel agencies sell trips to Japan but it is just one of many destinations on their list. What is special about Japanspecialist is that it is 100% Japanese-owned – its parent company is the largest Japanese travel firm, JTB Group – so, its entire focus is on Japan. We are committed to Japan, unlike many general travel agencies. Our vision to be the best and to grow into a global brand has not been deterred, even by the multi-year closure during the new coronavirus epidemic.”
She adds that they have no off-the-shelf products, no pre-made and pre-purchased trips. “We fully personalize the itinerary for each individual passenger after a consultation, no two offers are the same. And for our group tours, we are unique in the market in that we only work with guides who speak perfect Japanese and have lived on the island.”

Tailor-made trips
Regarding the type of tours Japanspecialist offers and their target groups, she highlights that “we are approached by couples, families and solo travelers who want a travel expert specializing in Japan to tailor-make their trip. We create day-by-day itineraries based on the traveler’s specific interests, as well as provide detailed descriptions of how to get to the different sites, of transport, schedules and other useful insider advice. On the other hand, the Deluxe Group Tour is led by a knowledgeable tour leader, ensuring both comfort and security, and highly favored by those seeking a refined and immersive experience.”

A guarantee of quality
As already mentioned, Japanspecialist is backed by JTB Corporation, a company with over a century of experience. As to what this background and being part of JTB Group’s B2C business unit mean for Japanspecialist and its travelers, Karolina Simon emphasizes that the JTB name is known to everyone in Japan. “It is one of the most trusted and respected companies in the eyes of the Japanese. Japanspecialist has access to the extensive resources of the JTB Corporation, which also means complete financial security. The JTB name is a guarantee of quality.”

Steady double-digit growth
Karolina Simon is now the leader of not only the Hungarian, but also the European Japanspecialist team. Currently, this latter one covers and oversees nine markets: France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and the DACH region.
“This means managing a team of around 60 people, as well as full ‘profit and loss’ (P&L) responsibility for the region. My main responsibilities are to maintain and accelerate business growth in existing and new markets and to optimize operations in the different countries. Over the past two years, we have achieved steady double-digit growth, and with new markets, we have set even more ambitious targets for 2025.”

World Expo not to be missed
The Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai from April to October this year is another potential target for Japanspecialist clients. Karolina Simon points out that the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai presents a significant prospect and challenge for both the business and leisure sectors. “At Japanspecialist, we create comprehensive travel packages for those interested in the exposition, including tickets and special package offers like a visit to the expo; individual tours that include the cultural and gastronomic specialties of Japan in addition to the world exhibition; as well as Hungarian-speaking and European expert guides who help travelers gain a deeper understanding of the experience. Through JTB's network, we have exclusive access to expo-related services to ensure a seamless and inspiring experience for our travelers in Osaka and throughout Japan.”
Japanspecialist travelers are not visiting Japan exclusively for the expo, but rather because they are fascinated by the country's culture, natural beauty and unique experiences. However, as Expo 2025 is a unique event, the agency recommends that all their travelers visit that for at least one day.
She adds that “in terms of travelers, we are seeing increasing interest in Expo 2025 from European educational and research institutions, academic and student groups, in addition to business travelers and professional delegations. For them, we will create tailor-made programs including the opportunity to explore Japan's cultural and scientific centers.”

Offering an authentic experience
Some people suggest that the world exposition might have negative impact on leisure tourism. Karolina Simon’s reply to this notion is that “the expo is expected to lead to increased visitor numbers, which could result in higher prices and limited capacity for accommodation and airline tickets. Popular attractions may be more crowded than usual, and authentic, private experiences may fill up sooner, requiring reservations much earlier. When planning our clients’ itinerary, we try to avoid the crowds and take them to the Japanese countryside where they can enjoy a more authentic experience. And if they are interested in iconic sights, we can help with optimal timing and the most convenient arrangements,” she concludes.