Case Studies

JTB Vietnam Delivers on Small-group Incentive Trip to Japan with Exhibition and Factory Tour

Client :FUJIFILM VIETNAM CO.,LTD

Industry :Medical Equipment

Participants :10

Destination :Tokyo, Yokohama, Ibaraki

Period :Mid-April 2024 (4 nights, 5 days)

# Case Studies
# Group Travel
# Asia

Summary

Strengthening ties among the guests through exhibition visits and sightseeing tours
Overcoming difficulties in sightseeing proposals due to overcrowded schedules
Working closely between Vietnam and Japan to create highly satisfying tours
Exceeding expectations with JTB's unique Japan sightseeing plans

Objectives

At the request of FUJIFILM VIETNAM CO.,LTD's Vietnamese subsidiary, we conducted an incentive tour directed at doctors who use the company’s medical equipment. The purpose of this tour was to visit a medical equipment exhibition held in Japan every year, tour the local factory, and experience Japanese culture.

In recent years, FUJIFILM VIETNAM CO.,LTD's Vietnamese subsidiary has been focusing on sales of medical equipment, and this tour was designed to deepen the relationship between them and Vietnamese doctors who use their equipment. JTB Vietnam has been organizing these incentive tours for more than 10 years. Once again, we worked closely with FUJIFILM VIETNAM CO.,LTD to propose a sightseeing plan in Japan that would satisfy the participants. We responded to their many requests in cooperation with JTB Japan's Division, utilizing our contacts and experience cultivated over the years.

Challenges

The challenge for this tour was to create the sort of tourist experience that the participating Vietnamese doctors desired during their short time in Japan. The tour was based in the Kanto region and had to include popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo and Yokohama, along with unique Japanese cultural experiences.

It should be noted that Vietnamese people prefer tourist destinations that incorporate nature, so there was a need for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of Japan while emphasizing accessibility from their accommodations. In addition to ensuring smooth transportation, and organizing the exhibition visit and factory tour, which were the main parts of this trip, the key point was to maximize enjoyment in the limited time available.

Key Points

Planning with an understanding of Vietnamese customs and culture
Visiting many fascinating sights in a limited amount of time
Scheduling of exhibitions and factory tours
Securing sightseeing buses during a period of increased inbound demand

Solutions

Sightseeing plans that meet needs

In cooperation with JTB Japan's Division, we created a sightseeing plan that fulfilled participants’ requests. The day after arriving in Japan, day two of the tour, was for sightseeing around the temple district of Asakusa in Tokyo and visiting FUJIFILM Corporation headquarters.

Day three took everyone around Meiji Shrine, a place surrounded by nature, and the Imperial Palace. The group then moved to nearby Ibaraki Prefecture for a factory tour. The fourth day was the visit to the exhibition and included time for shopping. The final day was a more relaxing time with a sumo wrestling show followed by a traditional cherry blossom viewing experience.

Shopping, the best part of sightseeing in Japan

Past tours received high marks for including time for shopping in Tokyo at a department store in Ikebukuro, Yodobashi Camera, and UNIQLO, which operates a factory in Vietnam. On this occasion and taking into account our schedule, we included shopping in the high-end Ginza district of Tokyo in our plans.

Flexible dining plans

We were aware that some Vietnamese people were not familiar with Japanese food culture, especially raw fish dishes such as sushi and sashimi. In response, we prepared a menu that allowed participants to enjoy traditional kaiseki cuisine and other dishes but avoided raw fish.

Experienced and knowledgeable tour guides for the occasion

We and FUJIFILM VIETNAM CO.,LTD shared the responsibility of arranging tour guides. This enabled us to provide high-quality tour guides for the group. We arranged Vietnamese guides to assist the tour for sightseeing and bus transportation, while FUJIFILM VIETNAM CO.LTD arranged for a guide for the factory tour and other occasions that required specialized knowledge.

Prompt and efficient cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese staff

Detailed tour plans were drawn up by our Vietnamese team. Based on this, we worked with JTB Japan's Division to arrange and coordinate the sightseeing buses and hotels that would be used on the tour. The smooth coordination between Japan and Vietnam enabled us to successfully complete arrangements, which has become increasingly difficult due to an increase in inbound travel to Japan.

Conclusion

This tour, offering the participants sightseeing in Japan as well as visits to the exhibition and a factory tour, was a great success. We were complimented on our ability to identify appropriate needs, prompt staff coordination, and planning with a deep understanding of Vietnamese culture. This strengthened our relationship with the client. The experience our Vietnam office gained over the past 10 years with this client and our team’s familiarity with the situation in both Vietnam and Japan made it possible to create a short yet highly satisfactory tour.

JTB Vietnam offers not only tours like this, but also plans that center around stand-alone exhibitions and events. One of the great strengths of the JTB Group is that we respond sincerely to our clients' requests and always provide value that exceeds their expectations.

Project Lead

Yusei Yoshimura

JTB-TNT Co., Ltd.
Sales Department
Assistant Manager

Corporate sales for 10years at Outbound ( Toranomon ) & Inbound ( GMT ). Corporate sales for 13years at Ho Chi Minh City.