#Japan #Tokyo #JTB #GeoTechnologies #Trepoto

GeoTechnologies and JTB Collaborate on 'Trepoto'

In a significant collaboration aimed at promoting sustainable tourism in Japan, GeoTechnologies, headquartered in Bunkyo, Tokyo, and JTB, based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, have entered into a partnership agreement. This partnership focuses on the development of a new traffic analysis tool called 'Trepoto,' which started its service on October 1st. The two companies aim to provide data-driven insights to local governments and tourism development corporations (DMO) to assist in creating effective promotional strategies in the tourism sector.

Background of the Collaboration

In recent years, inbound tourism has seen a robust recovery, with forecasts suggesting that by 2024, the number of international visitors to Japan may exceed 36 million, showing the country’s growing appeal. However, this growth is accompanied by challenges such as overtourism, labor shortages, and skyrocketing accommodation prices. GeoTechnologies and JTB recognize the congestion at popular tourist destinations as a critical issue and believe their joint efforts can help mitigate these challenges.

Key Features of Trepoto

The human flow data collected by GeoTechnologies is obtained at a high frequency, roughly every ten seconds, allowing for precise analysis of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle movements, as well as congestion levels. Merging this data with mapping technologies results in sophisticated analytics that can support commercial area analysis and marketing initiatives. The expansion into the tourism sector is the next logical step.

JTB is dedicated to fostering continuous exchanges that benefit the community, travelers, and society—a concept referred to as 'sanpo-yoshi,' or the three-way satisfaction principle. By combining their unique assets and expertise, both companies believe they can foster this principle effectively through the collaborative development of Trepoto.

Features and Benefits of Trepoto

The 'Trepoto' tool visually displays past congestion information and can predict future delays based on statistical models. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of travel times, considering both distance and expected traffic conditions. Initially, the tool will be targeted at municipalities and DMOs dealing with visible transportation issues in tourist areas.

Impacts of Traffic Congestion in Tourist Areas

• - Visitor Satisfaction: Congestion can lead to decreased satisfaction for visitors and impacts the daily life of local residents, raising safety concerns.
• - Reduced Tourism Time: Increased travel times shorten the period tourists spend engaging with the local economy, thus decreasing spending opportunities.
• - Community Disruption: Tourist vehicles can overload local roads, disrupting residents’ everyday activities like commuting and shopping.
• - Emergency Access: Congestion can hinder emergency vehicles, jeopardizing crucial rescue and support operations.

As tourism demand continues to change and environmental considerations become paramount, a strategic approach to these challenges is essential. The Trepoto service supports informed decision-making based on objective data and advanced analysis, aiding in the creation of sustainable tourism destinations.

Practical Uses of Trepoto

• - Event Traffic Visualization: The tool can evaluate traffic impacts during events, such as festivals or fireworks, allowing for better urban planning and traffic management.
• - Transportation Viability Evaluation: For instance, in Okinawa, where rental cars heavily congest Naha, a special bus service is being implemented to transport tourists to the northern area of the prefecture, responding effectively to the needs of nearly 50% of the visitors.

By utilizing objective data, stakeholders can assess whether planned projects will effectively address existing issues, thus ensuring the right transportation networks are established.

Future Directions

GeoTechnologies and JTB have high expectations for the Trepoto tool to contribute to the sustainable development of tourist locations and the resolution of related challenges. Future goals involve providing municipalities and DMOs with accurate transportation analysis and promotional strategies to alleviate congestion and optimize the flow of visitors while promoting public transport usage.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this initiative, contact:
GeoTechnologies Corporate Communications
Tel: 03-6374-2583

For general inquiries from customers, reach out to:
JTB Area Solution Division
Email: dx_solution@jtb.com (Available 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, excluding holidays)