9:00 - 10:30 Day 1

Session 1 (Keynote presentations and panel)

Future of travel distribution in Japan: What impact is e-commerce having on traditional distribution landscape?

• Many players in the distribution system is the unique aspect of the Japanese market. What is the overall distribution structure in this complex market? Are new channels emerging?
• Japanese consumers use the internet to gather information, but traditionally book offline. Is it likely to change? How are online habits evolving?
• Japan has a more extensive retailer network than Europe and the U.S. What´s the role that travel retail stores have in a distribution channel?
• Customers rely on offline market so traditional travel agencies have always been an important distribution channel in Japan. Given the fast changing travel landscape, are travel agents keeping up with the latest trends?
• If suppliers follow global trends and sell direct how can Japanese agencies reinvent themselves and continue to grow and thrive?
• Japanese online market is dominated by a lot of very large companies that usually have very strong offline presence. How will indigenous Japanese online companies survive? What are the prospects for companies like Expedia that have no offline presence?
• Which channels are worth investing in and what travel products have the best prospects? What are the key trends and predictions that will lead to new opportunities?

• Shinichi Kitagami, Senior Vice President, JTB System Solution, Inc.
• Satoshi Yamazaki, Director - East Japan, Global Sales, Marriott International
• Cyril Ranque, Vice President of Asia Pacific Partner Services Group, Expedia

10:30 - 11:00 Networking Coffee Break

11:00 - 13:00 Session 2 (Presentations and Panel)

Japan in the global marketplace

• Global industry overview: What distribution trends are dominating the global travel market place? What proportion of online travel is sold online? Which marketing channels are most effective?
• Boost two-way tourism: which countries provide the best opportunities for the Japanese travel industry? How to make the best use of opportunities, such as the “Visit Japan” campaign and bilateral cultural exchange programs.
• Establishing the infrastructure for a world-class travel market in Japan: how can you create effective sales and marketing strategies to attract international customers? Are Japanese infrastructure and services up to global standards?
• How to create a win-win relationship between the outbound travel agent and the inbound operator? Will this bring a more balanced relationship between Japan´s inbound and outbound tourism?

• Masao Taguchi, Head of Marketing, Okura Hotels & Resorts
• Junichi Kumada, Chief Producer, Web Planning & Promotion, JAPANiCAN
• Masahiro Isogai, Chief Consultant, Japan Tourism Marketing
• Keith Beecham, Director Overseas Network, VisitBritain

13:00 - 14:15Networking Lunch Break

14:15 - 16:00Session 3 (Presentations and Panel)

Hotel Distribution and Marketing Strategies

• Trends in the hotel industry: How does hotel growth in Japan compare with other major markets?
• Foreign hotels have been enjoying success in Japanese market in recent years. Will this trend continue and what impact will it have?
• How fast are hotel online bookings growing in Japan? What are the main opportunities and challenges?
• What new opportunities exist for independent hotels to benefit from the reach of the web? What kind of distribution and marketing opportunities can it provide and at what cost?
• How can hotels achieve the right selling price when accommodation is dynamically packaged?
• Corporate parties and banquets account for a large proportion of income at Japanese hotels. Discover how to maximize revenue from food and beverage department?

• Tsutsumi Mitsumasa, Manager, Distribution Marketing Japan, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan
• Gregor Andréewitch, General Manager, Conrad Tokyo
• Toshi Banshoya, Director of Distribution Marketing, Global Marketing and Sales Office, New Otani
• Joseph Otsu Matsuo, Director of Sales-Japan, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

16:00 - 16:30 Networking Coffee Break

16:30 - 17:00Session 4

Case study: Understanding the opportunities and challenges of mobile travel marketing and distribution

Japan is the most advanced country in terms of next-generation networks and service in Asia but does a real mobile distribution system exist in Japan? How do companies use the mobile channel and how do they make it to pay? What are the challenges this new distribution channel faces? How can you create great web experience for mobile users?

• Kota Nozoe, Director, MobaTabi Corp

17:00 - 17:45Session 5:

Case study: Impact of Web 2.0 on travel

Various social networks are having a growing effect on the travel industry in Japan. Are social sites are becoming a new distribution channel? Find out how you can reach travelers in a dynamic, user-led web 2.0 environment.

• Shingo Noda, CEO, 4travel
• Yosuke Minezaki Chief Operating Officer, Global Travel Online Inc.

End of day 1: Networking drinks

9:30 - 10:30DAY 2

Session 1 (Keynote presentations and Panel)

Understanding the needs of Japanese travel consumers: How to target travelers in Japan?

• How are the Japanese using the internet to research and buy travel?
• Which segments of Japan´s travelling population are currently researching and booking online?
• What do Japanese customers want? How can you sell travel online to the Japanese consumer?
• Expert predictions on how Japanese customers will purchase travel in the future
• Growth in overseas travel among young generation is slowing down in Japan. Will this trend continue? How does the travel industry address this issue?

• Yoshio Matsushita , Consulting Partner, Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting
• Shingo Noda, CEO, 4travel

11:00 - 12:00Session 2 (Presentations and Panel)

Customer Focus: CRM, Branding and Loyalty Strategies

• What criteria should you use when implementing a CRM strategy?
• What defines a good loyalty program?
• How do you successfully manage loyalty programs for different customer segments?
• New technologies that can make personalized selling more effective and easier to implement. What are the opportunities and challenges in integrating new technology into your current systems?
• The importance of your brand. How do you measure its effectiveness?

• John Banta, Managing Director and General Manager, Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo
• Rurie Yamada, Assistant Vice President Marketing Strategy, JAL Hotels

13:15 - 14:45Session 3 (Presentations and Panel)

Sector Overview: Airline Distribution and Marketing Strategies

• What will be the impact of the Atlantic open sky policy and Asia Gateways? Will Japanese or foreign airlines dominate in the end? How do airlines foresee demand for travel between Japan and the rest of Asia?
• Deregulation is expected to increase competition and reduce ticket prices, particularly if low-cost Asian carriers enter the market, but what are the experts´ predictions?
• Most airline tickets are currently sold through travel agencies. What action might airlines take to boost direct sales?
• E-ticketing process is very advanced in Japan. According to IATA, full implementation should take place by May 2008. What impact will it have on consumer online purchasing habits? Will it increase online bookings?

• Barry Bergmann, Director Sales - Japan, United Airlines
• James Woodrow, General Manager, CathayPacific
• Dr. Reg Macdonald, Member of Board of Directors, VivaMacau

14:45 - 15:30Session 4 (Panel discussion)

The future of GDS in Japan

• What impact is the rapid growth of e-commerce having on the GDSs in Japan?
• Will the Japanese market follow the path of Europe and America and make the jump straight to direct online booking?
• What plans do the GDSs have in the event of deregulation?
• What other factors must be taken into consideration when distributing through GDSs in Japan? How can language, technology, buyer behaviour and preference be incorporated into a distribution strategy?

• Speakers for this session will be confirmed soon