#Japan #Tokyo #Inbound Tourism #Ocean Inc. #gratitude feature

Ocean's Innovative Voice Feature for Inbound Travelers

In a groundbreaking move to enhance shopping experiences for international visitors, Ocean Inc. has officially announced a new function in its duty-free app that allows retail staff to express "thank you" in the tourists' native languages. This feature, currently pending patent approval, aims to create a memorable final interaction between visitors and retailers by using voice messages tailored to the tourist’s nationality after completing their duty-free purchases.

Background of Development

Traveling abroad can be overwhelming, and hearing one’s native language can provide a sense of comfort and joy. For international visitors, the interaction they have at the end of their shopping experience greatly influences their impression of the store and the country. The final words exchanged during a transaction can leave a lasting memory of the trip

However, communicating effectively in a foreign language can be challenging for store staff due to language barriers and staff shortages. Many retailers face the common challenge of wanting to express gratitude but struggling with language differences.

Recognizing this problem, Ocean harnessed AI technology to develop a solution that enables anyone to express appreciation in the native language of inbound tourists easily and effectively. This innovative approach aims to eliminate communication barriers and deliver Japan's unique hospitality in a natural way.

Overview of Functions

The new feature can be selected by store staff in two different audio types:

I. Default Voice

For immediate use without special preparation:
1. Select "Thank you in your native language" from the settings.
2. Listen to sample audio of default settings in several languages including English, Chinese, Korean, French, and Japanese.
3. Upon completion of the duty-free application, the app automatically plays the relevant audio message in the visitor's language.

II. Custom Voice

For a personal touch:
1. Choose the custom option in the settings.
2. Utilize the recording function to capture their own voice saying, "Thank you for visiting. Have a great trip!"
3. The recorded message will be converted into multiple languages using AI.
4. After listening to the audio, the staff can use it if it meets their satisfaction.

This gives staff the opportunity to maintain their individuality while thanking tourists in their native language.

Expected Benefits

• - Transforming duty-free procedures from mere administrative tasks into memorable experiences.
• - Enhancing overall satisfaction for inbound travelers.
• - Building positive recognition and evaluations for stores and brands.
• - Reducing the multilingual workload on staff.

Ocean is not just providing a feature; it is focusing on users' emotional engagement, with the aim to elevate the quality of inbound experiences.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, plans include:

• - Further optimization of voice content tailored to various scenarios.
• - Expansion of supported languages.
• - Strengthening communication throughout the inbound experience.

Through these developments, Ocean is committed to establishing an environment where shopping experiences in Japan become a compelling reason for tourists to return, thereby enhancing both visitor satisfaction and the value of Japanese businesses.

Statement from Leadership

Ryo Hoshino, CEO of Ocean Inc., stated, “We believe that that just one simple word of thanks after completing a transaction can greatly influence the travel experience of our international patrons. Being greeted in one's native language evokes a sense of genuine hospitality that fosters lasting memories. During my own time abroad, being greeted in Japanese—even if just a few words—always brings joy.”

This feature was inspired by the vision of utilizing technology to seamlessly deliver Japan's hospitality. The significant barrier for inbound tourism often lies in language, leading many businesses to miss out on potential opportunities due to communication challenges. Our goal is to transform language from a hurdle into a valuable asset, turning it into a powerful capability for stores.

Ocean will continue to prioritize creating memorable experiences that resonate emotionally with our customers while striving to improve the overall quality of inbound tourism in Japan.

Company Overview

Ocean Inc., headquartered in Chuo City, Tokyo, is dedicated to enhancing the shopping experience for inbound tourists. The company aims to build a next-generation tax refund shopping platform while collaborating with major international media, OTAs, and social networks to provide duty-free and inbound customer services to Japanese tourism operators.

• - Company Name: Ocean Inc.
• - Representative: Ryo Hoshino
• - Address: 2-6-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, Japan
• - Founded: May 2024
• - Capital: 138.04 million yen (including capital reserve)
• - Website: Ocean Inc.
• - Duty Free Approval Transmission Business Number: 1-0100-0124-5294-0140-0001

For inquiries regarding this report, please contact:
Ocean Inc. Public Relations
Email: [email protected]