Travel business support program in collaboration with Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd. is now fully underway

Josai International University Faculty of Tourism is working with Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd. (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture) to provide practical tourism education in the travel industry. The travel business support program that was implemented on a trial basis last year has been fully launched this year.

本プログラムは学部２～３年生の希望者を対象にしたもので、今年度は2年生3名、3年生5名の8名が参加をしています。阪急交通社が催行する「トラピックス」のツアー商品で添乗業務等を行い、ホスピタリティや業務遂行能力を養成します。

Faculty of Tourism has already launched a hotel scholarship program, implementing a program that allows students to work in a hotel while studying at university and gain practical experience, and a similar dual education system will now be launched in the travel industry.

On May 18 and 19, we accompanied a bus tour and observed the work of a professional tour conductor. On the 21st, we held a review meeting to share what we learned from the tour and discuss how we should approach our work.

本プログラムでは学生に報酬が支払われます。学生であっても一般のお客様に対して、高い品質のサービスを提供することが求められます。どうしたら提供するサービスの質を高められるのか、教員や阪急交通社、グループ会社の方も交えて、議論が交わされました。
今後学生たちは、紅葉のシーズンである9月のツアーデビューにむけ、5月より社内研修に参加、6月からは旅程管理主任者の資格に関する研修、8月には実務研修等、旅程管理主任者の資格取得や研修に取り組んでいきます。

学生のコメントをいくつか紹介します。

"What impressed me the most was that the tour conductor always had a smile on his face and spoke from his heart. No matter what happened, he always responded calmly with a smile, which I thought was amazing. Tour conductors not only manage safety and the itinerary, but also have a lot of other duties, such as distributing souvenirs at each location and contacting the next location. I thought they might start to show signs of fatigue towards the end of the day, but I was impressed that their smiles and polite attitude remained unchanged. I would like to be able to speak clearly and with a smile when I talk to customers, too."

"I had the image of a tour conductor as someone who manages the tour so that it runs smoothly. But after actually participating in a tour, I realized that it's important not only to run the tour smoothly, but also to come up with ways to increase the excitement and sense of security of the customers. For example, before arriving at a tourist spot, we were given a map with recommended spots and emergency contact information. I thought this kind of small attention to detail was wonderful, and I would like to use it in my own way."

I accompanied a bus tour and learned about the work of a professional tour conductor.

The tour guide was very kind and answered even my basic questions, and I learned a lot.

We paid attention not only to the duties of the tour conductor, but also to the customers' concerns and enjoyment during the trip.

I experienced the meal service, which is an important factor in increasing travel satisfaction.

Tourist information provided by tour conductors to customers is important. We considered what kind of information is required.

In the retrospective meeting, we shared our findings and learnings.