NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
inside Track T
he recent explosion in bookings to Japan has come as no surprise to Alastair Donnelly, as his
company predicts its busiest-ever cherry blossom peak season in 2023. “This is what we always thought
would happen,” says Donnelly, co-founder of Inside Travel Group, parent of InsideJapan Tours and InsideAsia Tours. “Just because the country shut,
it doesn’t mean it lost interest. It has a unique hold over people’s imagination and we have three years’ pent-up demand.” All travel restrictions to Japan
were lifted on October 11, but from June InsideJapan was able to operate escorted tours under a limited reopening to tourists. It carried more than 1,300 clients to Japan this autumn. The company, which receives
around 40% of its sales from the trade, now anticipates it will send more customers than ever before to Japan during cherry blossom season in March and April 2023. But Donnelly concedes the
dramatic rise in business has not
been without its challenges. “We were ready but that doesn’t mean it’s been easy to deliver trips for 1,300 clients when you have not operated for two-and-a-half years. It’s been challenging,” he says.
Recruitment During the pandemic, the company focused on retaining bookings and maintaining customer service levels but, like many businesses, was forced to cut headcount. Its worldwide workforce of
nearly 200 reduced to 96 at its lowest point. That number is now 132 staff globally, including 63 in the UK, with rehiring a major
Alastair Donnelly
focus this year. Since March, the business has filled 44 vacancies, from operations to sales, and re-employed 11 former staff. “It’s been incredible to start
to see the excitement come back,” says Donnelly.
Cost of living With the boom in interest for Japan, and increasing demand for long-haul travel, the company has yet to feel any impact of the cost-of-living crisis. “My anticipation is that
even with the crisis, there is a huge demand for travel to Japan specifically,” he says. He remains optimistic for 2023.
In 2019, the business carried just over 14,000 passengers globally to Japan; next year, it forecasts the number will be more than 10,000, with its US and Australia offices predicted to perform more strongly than the UK. “We are very confident we will
exceed 2019 numbers in 2024,” he says. And in the spring period next year, sales could even exceed the same period in 2019. He adds:
“Great businesses will do well when times are difficult as they have done in Covid and the next period is when great businesses will shine.”
Destinations During Covid, the operator added South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Borneo to its line-up and it aims to continue plans laid in 2019 to expand its offering across Asia. “I can’t tell you what’s next but
we will be growing our portfolio over the next couple of years with new destinations,” says Donnelly. The company already plans
to expand in South Korea at the end of this year, which Donnelly believes will be “the next boom destination in Asia”.
Investment The company has outlined plans to gain B Corp status in early 2023 following significant investment in June from private investment group Blandford Capital LLP. Donnelly says: “Blandford has
been incredibly supportive. They are excited to be part of our vision over the next three to five years.”
Inside Travel Group is looking to Japan’s cherry blossom season and beyond. By Juliet Dennis
22
24 NOVEMBER 2022
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Guitar photographer
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
