株式会社Reelu Launches Remote Hybrid Guide Initiative for Tourism Boost

株式会社Reelu, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, has recently announced an initiative aimed at enhancing multilingual support for inbound tourists. The company is now seeking trial partners, including local governments, taxi businesses, and tourist facilities, to participate in the Remote Hybrid Guide program. This novel approach integrates online interpretation and guidance, allowing tour guides to stay connected with tourists and local operators seamlessly.

Background: Growing Inbound Demand and Escalating Guide Shortages

In response to a surge in inbound tourism, Japanese authorities forecast over 42.6 million foreign visitors by 2025, with tourist spending projected to reach a staggering 9.4 trillion yen. This growth signals an urgent need for effective capacity-building in local regions, as tourist accommodations increasingly spread beyond major urban centers. Recently, it was reported that over 31.8% of international guest nights in November 2025 were recorded in rural areas.

Yet, a significant challenge remains: the chronic shortage of multilingual personnel, particularly tour guides, especially during peak seasons. Factors contributing to this issue include seasonal employment variability and geographic concentration of professional guides in urban areas, leading to an acute supply-demand gap in local regions.

In light of these challenges, Reelu aims to bridge this gap with the introduction of its Remote Hybrid Guide model. This innovative service combines in-person local operational expertise with real-time online interpreting by multilingual guides. By ensuring that local staff can continue operations in Japanese, the program addresses both the need for effective communication and the unique expectations of various tourists.

What is the Remote Hybrid Guide?

Reelu's Remote Hybrid Guide allows local operators—taxi drivers and facility managers—to manage the guest experience independently while being digitally connected to tour guides. Those guides can offer real-time interpretation, itinerary management, and lead conversations, providing a seamless multilingual experience for tourists.

Expected Use Cases:

- Itinerary Management: Facilitating communication and agreements with tourists at each stage of the visit and advancing the schedule based on mutual understanding.
- Consensus Building: Assisting in setting expectations regarding stops, time allocation, and priority items, leading to agreements between local operators and tourists.
- Information Sharing: Clearly sharing important etiquette and safety rules relevant to tourist destinations without misunderstandings.
- Crisis Management: Handling unexpected issues like delays or cancellations with on-the-spot adjustments to plans.

Pricing: Affordable Language Support

The service will be available starting at 2,000 yen per hour, exclusive of service fees, aimed at groups of up to six. Organizations with larger groups or varying needs are encouraged to reach out for tailored pricing.

Supported Languages:

The service covers a diverse range of languages, including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Thai, Mongolian, Portuguese, Russian, Korean, and Japanese.

Difference from Automatic Translation Tools

While automatic translation devices may appear to be a budget-friendlier option, they fall short in providing the nuanced hospitality required in tourism settings. Reelu emphasizes continuous service delivery, ensuring that not only is language translated but also that the flow of onsite activities remains unimpeded.

Tracks Record of Pilot Programs

Reelu has successfully trialed the Remote Hybrid Guide across various local operations, validating its approach. Feedback indicates that the service effectively alleviates pressure on local guides during busy periods without altering the primary operations drastically. Feedback from past trials was overwhelmingly positive, with comments such as:

- "Fewer interruptions in explanation allowed us to focus on our operations."
- "Translated meanings that automatic devices couldn't cover which contributed to a better understanding."
- "The model presents an opportunity to reduce staff shortages during high-demand periods."

Call for Participation in Pilot Programs

Reelu invites local government bodies, including tourism boards, taxi services, and cultural institutions, to join its trial program. Participating organizations can offer various languages and consider tourism experiences in their local areas for a period ranging from two weeks onward.

Inquiry Details

Interested parties can reach out for initial consultations regarding service integration via the following form: Contact Form. Please note that the form is exclusively for inquiries pertaining to the trial program and service integration.

Closing Thoughts

In regions where guide shortages are most acute, having metropolitan guides travel to support local demands is not sustainable. Reelu's Remote Hybrid Guide aims to enhance local tourism capabilities by combining onsite service with highly trained multilingual professionals. As technology and AI evolve, the intrinsic value of human interaction and the deeper understanding required to connect with guests remains indispensable in hospitality. Reelu looks forward to collaborating with local stakeholders to refine and enhance this initiative further.

Company Overview

- Name: 株式会Reelu
- CEO: Shuu Konno
- Headquarters: Aoyama Tower Place 8F, 8-4-14 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo
- Establishment Date: April 2022
- Capital: 38,497,600 yen (including capital reserve)
- Business Focus: Matching multilingual personnel for immediate operational needs.