Japanese consortium launches B2B portal for luxury travel buyers

Bear Luxe Japan (BLJ), a network of international luxury travel designers and suppliers operating in Japan, has launched a digital portal to offer international buyers a one-stop platform for marketing, reservations and payments.

This portal, touted as first of its kind in Japan, was created in response to buyers’ difficulty in communicating with independent Japanese contractors, and suppliers’ struggles to reach the international travel trade market due to limited access and the absence of a standard payment and commission system.

Founded in partnership with The Ryokan Collection and a team of luxury travel experts, BLJ has partnered with leading Japanese luxury travel providers spanning transportation, accommodation, custom experiences and DMCs.

In addition, Kyoto City Tourism Association has signed on as a partner of BLJ to develop the luxury travel segment in Japan’s former capital.

BLJ’s co-founder and COO, Hiroyuki Miyatake, said in a statement that in addition to connecting luxury travel buyers and qualified sellers, he hopes the service can provide a way for Japan’s traditional craftsmen and artisans to reach new markets and support their struggling industries.

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