On September 7, Tokyu Corp. announced the addition of 18 locations operated by Nishitetsu Hotels to its TsugiTsugi, a fixed-price, round-trip lodging service.
So why did this service start? According to Kazumine Kawamoto, Senior Manager of the Business Strategy Group, Tokyu Hospitality Business Department, one of the aims of the service is to lower the hurdles in making travel arrangements.
Although TsugiTsugi is a Tokyu service, there are several affiliated lodging facilities outside the Tokyu Group, including JR Hokkaido Hotels. Nishitetsu Hotels is the 26th corporation to be affiliated with the service. With the addition of 18 Nishitetsu Group facilities, the total number of available lodging facilities will be 127. Nishitetsu is not limited to Kyushu, but has facilities in a surprisingly wide area.
TsugiTsugi is a subscription service that allows users to pay a fixed monthly amount to use eligible lodging facilities for the number of days corresponding to the plan they have selected. At present, there are approximately 30,000 members, and the company aims to reach 100,000 members/1,000 facilities by FY2027.
Reduce hurdles by not leading users astray.
For example, in the case of lodging arrangements, there are a number of websites (OTAs) where lodging reservations can be made. Although it is possible to search through them, a large number of lodging facilities are suddenly displayed, and there are many plans available. It takes a certain amount of knowledge to select the one that best suits your needs.
TsugiTsugi offers fixed monthly payments, so there is no need to worry about every single cost. Also, the number of affiliated lodging facilities in each area is kept to a minimum so that users do not get lost. This will be a key point in the future when expanding the number of facilities covered by the service.
In addition, there is a mechanism to interactively present options using AI chat, “Tabi-konshitsu Konshiruju. However, since it would be bad if the AI chat made a poor suggestion based on a random learning process, the appropriate suggestion is made by referring to the correct data. What is interesting is that this mechanism was developed by a TsugiTsugi user.
For example, if you indicate a rough intention, such as direction, number of people, and purpose, the AI will make suggestions. For example, if you want to go on a work vacation, it will suggest hotels with facilities suitable for remote work, and if you want to relax in an outdoor hot spring, it will suggest accommodations with outdoor hot spring facilities.
This interview was conducted in Fukuoka City. As soon as I decided to go there, I quickly arranged “transportation” and “lodging. I can do this because I am familiar with this kind of story and know what I need and what I don’t need. However, if travel is a “once-a-year event,” it is not so easy. Kawamoto says, “The arrangement itself is one barrier.
TsugiTsugi offers subscriptions not only for individuals but also for corporations. Companies that have many employees traveling on business can expect to reduce travel expenses by paying a fixed fee, and can also use the service as a means of providing employee benefits in lieu of having their own recreation facilities.
As a representative of a user, Ryo Hanazuki said, “I was working as a company employee in Tokyo and Fukuoka, but I wanted to change my lifestyle. That is when I came to know about ‘TsugiTsugi’ and started using it. I want a big table and a comfortable chair to work with my PC, so I can get information on whether the place is suitable for work or not when I choose a place to stay.
He also said, “If you don’t use up your available monthly days, you can invite your family and relatives to spend an extraordinary time in the vicinity. This is a great way to take advantage of the fact that TsugiTsugi offers one accompanying person free of charge and does not require prior registration.
© Source travel watch
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