In the news: Focus is on Japan this week with a virtual travel concierge to help tourists explore the country, a All Nippon Airways-OpenJaw partnership, and travel giant JTB’s debut at ITB China to promote sports tourism
Chatbots: Lost in translation in Japan? No worries, Miko’s here to help
(Image credit: JTB)
Japan is one of the most visited destination in the world, but for many not knowing the Japanese language can be a barrier to exploring the country although the locals are very helpful in guiding visitors who are lost in translation in the right direction.
This is where Miko, a virtual travel concierge built on Microsoft artificial intelligence (AI), comes into play to assist tourists, especially those travelling solo, to get around much easier without the language challenge.
The chatbot is described as “the star” of the Japan Trip Navigator (residing in it), a new smartphone app created by Microsoft in partnership with Japan’s largest travel agency JTB Group and navigation firm NAVITIME Co. It has more than 100 model sightseeing travel plans in areas surrounding Sapporo, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka and Okinawa with information on more than 3,600 popular spots.
Miko answers questions with a conversational tone and in real-time by drawing on JTB’s extensive resources, as well as fellow users’ input via feedback.
It also helps plan trips, book hotels, suggest sightseeing spots, recommend the best eating places and make reservations, just like how locals do it. It also taps into NAVITIME Japan’s vast knowledge and data about train, bus, and ferry services along with navigation for driving and walking routes.
Miko’s role has been expanded with new features in the updated Trip Navigator, which now operates in traditional Chinese in addition to its original English. With its link to the popular Japan Foodie app and integration with the JTB e-ticket purchasing service, travellers can make bookings using the chatbot as their interface and guide.
Distribution: ANA, OpenJaw collaborate to create a new booking platform
(Image credit: scyther5/Getty Images)
Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has selected Ireland-based OpenJaw Technologies (OpenJaw) to provide its New Distribution Capability (NDC) platform to streamline communication between airlines and air ticket distributors.
The advanced travel retailing platform will allow the airline to connect with multiple distribution partners like online search engines and travel agents, personalise fare offers and provide consumers with a consistent retailing experience across all channels.
ANA will be able to utilise the OpenJaw t-Retail NDC Platform to connect, distribute and merchandise its products using IATA’s NDC standard that will help grow its global business, said OpenJaw in a statement.
The Japanese carrier said in a statement its goal in working with OpenJaw is to leverage the NDC platform to enable distribution partners to link directly to its reservation system, streamlining the booking process for consumers.
It added the integrated ANA NDC platform, with its new customisation options, represents a shift in how tickets will be purchased through distributors. Passenger will also find it more convenient to purchase optional services, such as lounge access, through the distributor’s webpage.
Mitsuo Tomita, senior vice president of ANA, said the airline implements the latest technology to improve safety and efficiency. “NDC will enhance flexibility and have the potential to improve sales.”
To keep the NDC platform up-to-date ANA will provide the latest in-flight seat and service images.
The platform is targeting a roll-out in the second half of this year 2019. Once it is launched, the airline said it will add well-known air fare aggregators to expand access to more distribution partners such as travel agents and service providers.
OpenJaw, headquartered in Dublin, is an IATA NDC and IATA ONE Order Strategic Partner with Level 3 NDC Certification. It is a subsidiary of TravelSky Technology, a leading provider of information technology solutions for China’s aviation and travel industry.
Events: JTB Group to promote Japan’s sports offerings at ITB China
(Image credit: Umarin Nakamura/Getty Images)
Sports tourism is a fast-growing sector of the global travel industry and it is common to find sports travel a topic frequently featured in conferences – and this is the case in ITB China 2019 (May 15-17).
Japan is hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020) and the Rugby World Cup 2019, and these events will draw many sports enthusiasts to the country. To promote Japan as a sports destination, specificially to Chinese tourists, JTB Group is making its debut in the Shanghai show as the official sports travel partner.
The Japanese travel giant will showcase the country’s sports offerings, especially winter sports, at the travel show and in discussions on sports tourism at the concurrent ITB China conference.
Yasuhiro Tsuboi, JTB director, board member and head of Japan inbound business, said the company is exhibiting in ITB for the first time because “we are very much focused on the remarkable growth of the Chinese travel market.” He added that “many Chinese will enjoy the wonderful winter sports in Japan.”
David Axiotis, general manager of ITB China, noted that sports tourism in China has huge potential. “It is something most of the people will participate in at some point in their lives. Numerous Chinese tour operators are investing in growing the number of sports tourism products offered to Chinese travellers.”
• Featured image credit (Mount Wakakusa in Japan): LewisTsePuiLung/Getty Images)
