Tokyo, July 6, 2011—Rakuten Travel, Inc. (“Rakuten Travel,” Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, President: Masashi Okatake), operator of Japan’s largest comprehensive travel website “Rakuten Travel,” announced today that it has established and commenced operations at a new branch in Pusan. The branch is the newest office of its Korean subsidiary, Rakuten Travel Korea Co., Ltd., which is also located in Pusan.
Rakuten Travel established a local subsidiary in Seoul, South Korea in 2004 with the primary aim of increasing accommodation bookings in the country among Japanese travelers. In 2008, Rakuten Travel and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) concluded a joint business development agreement to further promote tourism in Korea, targeting Japanese travelers.
Rakuten Travel will utilize the Pusan Branch as the second branch office of Rakuten Travel Korea to undertake a number of initiatives aimed at further increasing travel billings and addressing travel needs within Korea and abroad, not only for Japanese travelers but for a broader demographic of tourists.
Rakuten Travel began establishing locations outside of Japan in 2002. Currently, the Company has a total of 12 offices located in China (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Dalian), Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand (Bangkok), Guam, and the US (New York, Hawaii). Moving forward, Rakuten Travel aims to expand its international sales with an emphasis on Asia and Pacific resort destinations.
- Rakuten Travel, Inc.
Rakuten Travel opens Pusan Branch in South Korea
Overview of Rakuten Travel Korea Co., Ltd [Pusan Branch]
◆Official Name: Rakuten Travel Korea Co., Ltd. [Pusan Branch]
◆Address: #1116 Youwon O/T, 474-80, Bujun 1 Dong, Busanjin-Gu, Busan, Korea
◆Staff: 2 employees (Internet travel consultant, etc.)
◆Business Activities:
1) Sales and marketing activities targeting hotels
2) Support for contracted hotels and establishments
◆Start of Operations: July 6, 2011
【Reference information】
◆Overseas locations of Rakuten Travel and their dates of establishment:
・Tabimado Shanghai Co., Ltd. April 30, 2002
・Rakuten Travel Korea Co., Ltd. Seoul Branch January 5, 2004
・Rakuten Travel Guam Inc March 12, 2007
・Rakuten Travel, Inc. Bangkok Office June 9, 2008
・Tabimado Co., Ltd. Shanghai Beijing Branch August 20, 2009
・Rakuten Travel, Inc. Hong Kong Branch August 7, 2009
・Rakuten Travel, Inc. Taiwan Branch September 22, 2009
・Rakuten Travel, Inc. Hawaii Branch October 6, 2009
(Transferred to Rakuten Travel USA Inc. as of January 1, 2011)
・Tabimado Shanghai Co., Ltd Guangzhou Branch July 15, 2010
・Tabimado Shanghai Co., Ltd Dalian Branch September 20, 2010
・Rakuten Travel USA Inc. New York Branch December 23, 2010
・Rakuten Travel Korea Co., Ltd. Pusan Branch July 6, 2011