#Japan #Tokyo #unerry #Tokyo tourism #DX initiative

unerry Selected for Innovative Tourism DX Project

The company unerry, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, has recently been approved as a participating entity in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "DX for Tourism Data Utilization Support Project" for both fiscal years 2023 and 2024. This initiative aims to leverage digital technology to transform tourism by addressing persistent regional challenges through data-driven strategies.

As the tourism industry faces increasing pressure to adapt to shifts and challenges induced by digital transformation (DX), it's becoming clear that relying solely on intuition and experience is inadequate. Modern strategies necessitate a comprehensive approach that includes collecting and analyzing varied data to inform decisions and validate outcomes. This project, part of a broader initiative by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched in 2021, plays a crucial role in ensuring towns and regions can autonomously and sustainably harness tourism-related data.

Key Contributions by unerry

unerry's primary involvement in this project includes conducting comprehensive interviews across 62 wards, cities, and towns within Tokyo, as well as with local tourism associations. By gathering insights into the existing tourism challenges, readiness for data utilization, and specific regional needs, unerry will take a two-fold approach to promote effective data use in tourism.

1. Long-term Support: Cultivating Data Utilization

In three selected regions that face issues related to gathering tourists, improving visitor circulation, and enhancing purchase behaviors, unerry will facilitate the establishment of a self-sustaining data-utilization framework. Utilizing over 84 billion monthly data points collected from human flow analytics, as well as open datasets, transaction data from tourism spots, and social media feedback, unerry will engage in thorough data selection and analysis. This data will emerge as instrumental in tackling regional tourism challenges through actionable insights.

Furthermore, the company will implement initiatives based on these analyses, coupled with expert guidance to solidify the data utilization cycle. This ongoing support aims to empower the regions to maintain and continue their data-driven efforts beyond the project’s conclusion.

2. Short-term Support: Workshops and Seminars

In addition to long-term assistance, unerry will address tourism challenges identified from the data through seminars and workshops. These sessions will provide pertinent knowledge and strategies tailored to the needs expressed by the stakeholders, ensuring that local authorities and tourism bodies can effectively engage with and benefit from data.

Insights from unerry’s COO

Shigejiro Suzuki, COO of unerry, shared insights into the initiative's importance. He noted that among various themes that local government explores, tourism has seen considerable advancements in open data and survey data readiness. Furthermore, unerry’s vast human flow big data is invaluable in comprehending the real behaviors of tourists, including both local and international visitors. However, he acknowledged that selecting appropriate data from a diverse array remains a significant hurdle for local officials.

Through continuous dialogue with officials from Tokyo's wards, cities, and tourism associations, unerry aims to deepen understanding of prevailing challenges while providing multifaceted support towards data activation and resolution of issues. The knowledge and methodologies derived from this project are believed to be adaptable and beneficial not only within Tokyo but across various other regions in Japan.

In line with its vision of "unerry, everywhere," the company is set to enhance the capacity for data utilization in many more locales.

Company Background

Based in Tokyo's Minato Ward, unerry was established in August 2015 and focuses on real behavioral data through its platform, Beacon Bank. Utilizing GPS and beacon technologies, it processes more than 84 billion data points monthly, analyzing human movement both indoors and outdoors with AI capabilities. The company’s mission is to create a pleasant future powered by data, enriching areas from OMO marketing support to smart city developments.

For more information about unerry and its initiatives, visit their website at unerry.co.jp and learn about their innovative data platform, Beacon Bank.