Case Studies
2026.07.06
200+ Person Learning Tour to Japan for Top Dealers from India
Case Study of a Tour for an Esteemed Client from the Automotive Industry
Client: an esteemed client from the automotive industry
No. of participants: 220
Destination: Japan (Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto, Hiroshima, Nagoya)
Dates: October 2025 (5 days)
- # Case Studies
- # Group Travel
- # Asia
Summary
・A short, four-night tour of Japan for 220 people visiting a variety of locations. After careful on-site inspections and collaboration with JTB Nagoya, we came up with an efficient and pleasant itinerary to meet the client’s needs.
・As a highlight of the trip and a profound cultural experience, we programmed a taiko drum performance at an outdoor theater high in the mountains.
・On top of arranging meals to meet religious, dietary, and allergy requirements, our hospitality (omotenashi) extended to respecting festivals and customs, and minimizing the stresses of travel.
・Through collaboration and planning within the JTB Group, we successfully delivered a high-value-added tour and built a deep relationship of trust with the client.
Speaker
Suzalina Pal Choudhury
General Manager
MICE Team
JTB India
A Short Tour Offering an Immersive
Experience of Japanese Culture
The client was an esteemed client from the automotive industry, with which JTB India has a long-standing relationship. They reached out to request our help in organizing a learning tour to Japan for its top-performing dealer principals. The aim of the tour was to bring together dealers scattered across India to promote deeper engagement between them, to give them a chance to learn about the history and technology of the Japanese automaker, and to develop a deeper understanding of Japan through experiences of traditional culture.
The client expressed a desire to get away from the conventional tourist itinerary (the so-called “golden route” from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, and Osaka) and to provide a deeply immersive cultural experience rooted in Japanese tradition. To satisfy these requirements within a short, four-night itinerary without stressing the participants, we needed to design the travel routes and movements with great precision. For this reason, thorough on-site inspections were essential. The inspections began six months before the tour was scheduled. Finally, we proposed a high-impact tour that struck a balance of premium quality and comfort. We decided to use Fukuoka as a base and to venture from there to Oita, Kumamoto, Hiroshima, and Nagoya.
The highlight of the trip was a Japanese ensemble taiko drumming performance by DRUM TAO on the Skyward Stage, an open-air theater in a dramatic setting at 1,036 m above sea level on the Mt. Aso plateau in Oita. On a stage surrounded by nothing but air, against a backdrop of majestic sky and mountains, the sounds of the drums reverberated deeply, becoming one with the wind. Going beyond the usual limits of a tourist attraction, this performance awarded guests a profound cultural experience that embodies the primordial Japanese value of coexistence with nature.
Due to concerns about weather and seating capacity, the client was initially skeptical about the feasibility of the event. To make sure we were prepared for all eventualities, we therefore conducted exhaustive on-site investigations, clearly defining all the transportation methods and seating layouts for the 200 odd guests. We also formulated comprehensive backup plans in case of rain. This eased the client’s concerns and helped to significantly enhance their overall satisfaction with the tour.
A Total Commitment to Hospitality with Respect for Religion and Customs to Make the Tour Comfortable for All
We believe that our commitment to Japanese-level hospitality (omotenashi) is the element that ultimately defines the unique value of our tours. Since many of the guests on this tour were affluent, seasoned travelers, we had to pay attention to every detail, from arranging room amenities to suit individual guests to preparing room keys before hotel arrival.
On the Shinkansen (bullet train), it would have been easier for us to hand out bento lunchboxes before boarding, but this would have been inconvenient for guests carrying large bags. Instead, staff handed out the bentos to everyone after they were seated. We even collected the empty lunchboxes after the meal. All this attention to detail for the sake of comfort was greatly appreciated.
Of course, meal menus are also a big part of hospitality. We had to precisely manage detailed information about all 200 guests, taking into consideration allergies and religious dietary restrictions. It was a complex challenge to design a menu that everyone could enjoy, in particular due to the requirements of Jains, who avoid not only meat and fish, but also root vegetables. After numerous exchanges with the hotel, the chef developed a Jain-friendly version of sushi using cucumber and kanpyo (dried gourd) instead of fish. It proved to be very popular.
The day the group arrived in Nagoya happened to be the day of Karwa Chauth, a festival celebrated in northern India. On the day of the festival, some female guests fasted from dawn until moonrise. We therefore arranged for the hotel to adjust the meal service times to accommodate them.
A wide variety of festivals and special days are celebrated in India, many of them specific to a region or religion. At JTB, we see these as very important, so we strive, as far as possible, to ensure that guests can observe their important customs wherever they happen to be in the world. This is the kind of dedication and attention to detail that enables us to deliver hospitality that is tailored to the needs of both the client and individual guests.
Leveraging the JTB Group’s Comprehensive Capabilities to Build Trusting Relationships with Clients
It is the close collaboration within the JTB Group that allows us to organize high-quality, large-scale tours in Japan like this one. The efforts of everyone at JTB Nagoya were especially valuable for this tour. They accurately conveyed all our requirements to hotels, restaurants, and transportation providers, and handled all on-site arrangements with extremely precise communication. On top of this, we received support from trusted JTB team members regarding operations and contracts. Even in the most difficult moments, everyone remained positive and joked with each other to keep the mood light and cheerful. There is no way this project could have turned out so successfully without them.
As a matter of principle, we never say no to a client request. Even if it is difficult or challenging, we think about ways to make it happen and propose a solution. It’s not that we are successful every time in all our long-term relationships; there have been some failures and difficulties. Still, because we always do our absolute best, long-term clients keep coming back to us. After working with us repeatedly, clients tend to become very supportive of us. Our relationships with clients often go beyond purely business transactions, and end up feeling more like family connections. We are able to build relationships with leading international companies that allow us to interact with them on a basis of mutual affection and respect. More than anything else, this is what makes me proud and happy to work at JTB.
At JTB India, I am responsible for planning and managing corporate tours, conferences, exhibitions, and other events for clients like this in the South and West India region. With a deep understanding not just of the people of India, but also the cultures and business practices of destination countries, coupled with the know-how to implement large-scale, meticulously planned tours, we are equipped to seamlessly deliver customized, premium experiences. We believe in respecting other cultures, smiling in the face of all difficulties, and striving for the best outcomes. This is the essence of the value we offer.