Japanese firm to open Bangkok office in June
LEADING Japanese hospitality company Fujita Kanko Inc will open an office in Bangkok and Jakarta in June as part of its plan to accelerate the globalisation of its business.
The move is one of the key goals the company has set for the next five years – with it targeting 25-per-cent growth in overseas guests by 2019.
“Adding Bangkok and Jakarta bases is a critical step in our business plan,” said Akira Segawa, Fujita Kanko president and chief executive
“Southeast Asia is a strategically important market – an increasingly strong inbound market for Japan, and also a very popular destination for Japanese travellers.”
Segawa stressed the importance for the company to maximise its business opportunities in Southeast Asia.
“We’ve built a broad range of hospitality expertise and offer some of Japan’s most upscale, exquisite properties,” Segawa said. “We’re eager to welcome more international travellers and to build local businesses, including opening hotels in other Asian markets.”
The 60-year-old company opened its first overseas office in Shanghai in 2010 and added offices in Seoul and Taipei in 2012.
A Singapore office was added in 2013 to strengthen marketing and sales and pursue business development opportunities in Southeast Asia.
The Singapore office will be consolidated with the Jakarta office at the end of May to also oversee the Malaysian market.
Fujita Kanko will use its overseas offices to promote its 70-plus properties in Japan and build international recognition for its businesses among travellers and other stakeholders.
Last year, the company announced it would open a hotel in Seoul in 2018, its first overseas property since 2002.
Fujita Kanko was established in 1955. It has 70 properties and facilities, including its five-star flagship Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo and 30 mid-priced hotels throughout Japan in the Hotel Gracery and Washington Hotels groups.
