JTBGMT hosted Seminar and Networking Event for Registered Tour Guides
JTBGMT hosted Seminar and Networking Event for Registered Tour Guides (hereinafter, "GMT Seminar and Networking Event") in Kyoto and Tokyo!
“GMT Seminar and Networking Event” is a major annual gathering, held for over 10 years, aimed at fostering mutual understanding, strengthening the relationship between our registered tour guides and JTBGMT staff members, and sharing the wisdom of industry-leading tour guides. It is held with the conviction of providing high-quality travel experiences to visitors to Japan.
This year, a total of over 100 tour guides attended the Kyoto venue on Saturday, November 29, 2025, and over 300 tour guides joined us at the Tokyo venue on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Approximately half of all JTBGMT employees participated, engaging in active exchanges. The participating tour guides expressed high motivation to improve their guiding quality, along with their future expectations for GMT, making the event a valuable and insightful experience.
During the seminar, we held a panel discussion featuring five top-level tour guides with exceptional skills, who are specifically requested by agents from various countries around the world. They shared invaluable insights that could be immediately put into practice, covering topics such as strategies to prevent guests from getting lost during tours, effective language learning methods, and even humorous anecdotes about past mistakes. In an era of advancing AI, all participants strongly recognized the unique value of a tour guide, such as sharing real-life experiences as storytellers and providing personalized guidance tailored to guests.
Additionally, we primarily focused on the characteristics of each tour and presented JTBGMT's initiatives to promote sustainability. Sales representatives from a total of six markets across both venues explained various tour case studies, customer feedback, and the characteristics of our successful guides. While the characteristics of successful guides vary across different markets, the main commonalities identified were "flexibility," "attentive hospitality," "high language proficiency," and "risk management." Attendees listened attentively, with many seen taking notes, eager to apply the insights to their future work.
As part of our commitment to promoting sustainability, the electricity used at both Kyoto and Tokyo venues for this event was sourced from renewable energy. This effort collectively reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 400 kW (equivalent to about 40,000 two-liter plastic bottles) across both locations.
The networking reception provided an opportunity for our staff to express their daily gratitude to the tour guides and to exchange ideas regarding future operations. The event concluded successfully, reinforcing our mutual relationship and seeking their continued cooperation for upcoming GMT tours.
JTBGMT will continue to deepen its collaboration with our registered tour guides, working together to provide high-quality services. As an industry-leading DMC, we aim to connect, create, and link the world, filling our customers with 感動 (deep emotion/perfect moments) and happiness.
