While celebrating its 25th anniversary, Inside
Travel Group, parent company of InsideJapan and InsideAsia, announced
record-breaking growth, a milestone powered by innovation and strategies to
tackle overtourism.
Inside Travel reported a 22 percent year-on-year increase
and a record breaking 16,000 travelers across InsideJapan and InsideAsia.
Since becoming B Corp certified in 2023, the company has
continued to champion travel as a force for good. It’s 2024 Impact Report
highlights the ‘every trip offset’ pledge delivering over $670,000 in renewable
energy and forest management projects across Asia.
Inside Travel also donated more than $160,000 to charity
partners and reinforced its commitment to delivering authentic
cultural adventure experiences for travelers, while empowering local
communities.
In 2025, InsideJapan launched its ‘under-tourism’ strategy
to combat overtourism, spotlighting the five regions of Toyama, Nagoya,
Nagasaki, Aomori, and Yamaguchi. The company’s Travel Head of Sustainability
Robert Moran reported that InsideJapan sent travelers to over 200 different
destinations in 2025, helping revitalize local economies and preserve culture.
“InsideJapan has
always had people and culture at its heart,” Moran said. “Our aim is to help
disperse travel across Japan to places and communities that have the capacity
and desire more visitors, while ultimately improving the traveler experience. Our
target for 2025 was to double the previous year’s room nights booked across our
‘under-tourism’ regions and we well exceeded that goal. Room nights in Toyama
surged by 870 percent to 250 nights, and overall under-tourism bookings doubled
to 1,000 nights in 2025.”
He added, “We have seen our customers embrace village
culture and crafts in Toyama, Nagoya’s neighboring castle town of Inuyama and
the laid-back history and culture of Nagasaki. It has been fantastic for the
regions, and the customers have loved their experience. In 2026 we will
spotlight Aomori and Yamaguchi – two off-the-radar regions that can easily fit
into itineraries and offer authentic experiences without the crowds.”
Inside Travel is also exploring similar approaches in South
Korea and Thailand.
Global Trade Manager, Gabo Quiros said, “Our B Corp
credentials and innovative approach haven’t come at the expense of growth.
Trade sales are the highest ever, up by 11 percent this year shows our
commitment to the destinations, we work with and ultimately an improved
cultural adventure experience for the customer.”
In 2026, Inside Travel Group plans to double under-tourism again
and unveiled new small group tours and self-guided cultural adventures across
Asia in the Year of the Horse. Travel Advisors can offer families unforgettable cultural
adventures this summer with a special kids’ half-price on small group tours in
Japan and South Korea.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
