KNT-CT Holdings

Basic Information

Stock Code
9726
Industry
Services
Category Detail
Travel & Hotels
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
May 1947
Listing Year
July 1975
Official Website
https://www.kntcthd.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Overview

KNT-CT Holdings is a major holding company in the travel industry under the Kintetsu Group, established in 1947, with domestic and international package tours as its main pillars.

Current Situation

For the fiscal year ended March 2022, consolidated sales were approximately ¥139.9 billion, but operating profit was in the red. The main business involves planning and sales of domestic and international travel, primarily through Club Tourism and Kinki Nippon Tourist. It became a holding company in 2013 amid the Kintetsu Group's travel business reorganization and currently oversees 33 consolidated subsidiaries. It maintains travel agency registration and JR designated travel agency status. In recent years, it has strengthened online sales and reorganized its inbound travel business, expanding media-based travel leveraging integration with Club Tourism. In 2021, it issued preferred shares for fundraising to strengthen its financial base. It ranks second in scale in the domestic travel industry after JTB, broadening its customer base across group and individual travel. Digital transformation and overseas market development are key strategies as it prepares for post-COVID demand recovery.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Transitioned to core holding company for Kintetsu Group's travel-related businesses.
  • Strengthened media-based travel through integration with Club Tourism.
  • One of the few holding companies maintaining JR designated travel agency status.
  • Boasts second-largest handling volume in domestic travel industry after JTB.
  • Conducted large-scale fundraising from Kintetsu Group and major banks in 2021.
  • Embraces many subsidiaries for multifaceted travel operations.
  • Has carved out a market niche specialized in seniors and hobby-oriented travel.
  • Deploys sales channels both online and offline.
  • Holds strengths in Asia, Europe, and America for overseas travel.
  • Has undergone business reorganizations and name changes multiple times in its long history.

Hidden Connections

  • Deploys superior travel products through close collaboration with Kintetsu Group companies.
  • Possesses strong sales power linked with Club Tourism's hobby and cultural travel.
  • Long-term transaction relationships with JR and airlines form the foundation of trust.
  • Advances locally attuned product development by making multiple local travel companies subsidiaries.
  • Provides transportation through collaboration with Kintetsu Bus Holdings Group.
  • Focuses not only on travel but also on event and convention planning.
  • High financial stability from fundraising by major financial institutions.
  • Advances cultural tourism through collaborations with many regional cultural facilities and research institutes.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Recovery of domestic and international travel demand post-COVID
  • Strengthening of online sales channels and customer touchpoints
  • Inbound reinforcement from increase in foreign tourists to Japan
  • Expansion of health and caregiving travel demand with aging population
  • Growth in hobby, culture, and learning-type travel market
  • Evolution of packages through strengthened collaboration with JR and airlines
  • Enhancement of locally rooted tourism products
  • Diversification of services for corporate customers
  • Promotion of sustainability-considered travel products
  • Improved reservation and management efficiency via IT utilization
  • Business development and partnership expansion in overseas markets
  • Expansion of media-based travel business

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve 25% share of domestic package travel market
  • Raise online reservation ratio to over 70%
  • Expand inbound products to 30% of sales
  • Make sustainable travel products over 50% of total
  • Capture top industry share in senior services
  • Secure annual group fundraising capacity of over ¥50 billion
  • Nationwide expansion in cultural tourism and educational travel fields
  • Branding enhancement via digital advertising and SNS utilization
  • Double sales of corporate incentive travel
  • Strengthen local bases and advance regional collaboration projects

Business Segments

Corporate Group Travel

Overview
Plans group travel tailored to the purposes of corporations and educational institutions, providing efficient operational support.
Competitiveness
Abundant planning track record and flexible customization capabilities
Customers
  • Corporations
  • Educational institutions
  • Local governments
  • Medical institutions
  • Government agencies
  • Research institutions
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Religious groups
  • Event organizers
  • Associations
Products
  • Employee trips
  • Training trips
  • Award and incentive trips
  • Event participation support trips
  • School trips
  • Administrative inspection trips
  • Medical staff慰労 trips
  • Convention viewing tours
  • Cultural experience tours
  • Welfare benefit packages

Incentive Travel Planning

Overview
Plans travel aimed at corporate sales promotion and employee motivation enhancement.
Competitiveness
High planning capabilities and operational expertise
Customers
  • Large corporations
  • Small and medium enterprises
  • Sales agencies
  • Sales organizations
  • Sales promotion companies
  • Management groups
  • Consulting firms
Products
  • Award trips
  • Employee慰労 programs
  • Sales performance incentive trips
  • Incentive program operation support
  • Leadership training trips
  • Overseas inspection tours
  • Special event tours

Support for Travel Agencies and Sales Companies

Overview
Supports other companies' sales and product provision to facilitate broad market expansion.
Competitiveness
Diverse product portfolio and industry network
Customers
  • Small and medium travel agencies
  • Online travel sellers
  • Sales agency companies
  • Local tourism associations
  • Tourism facility operators
Products
  • Product planning support
  • Sales promotion tool provision
  • Reservation system integration
  • OEM supply of package products
  • Sales training

Media-Based Travel Service Provision

Overview
Deploys tours utilizing mail-order and media advertising, centered on Club Tourism.
Competitiveness
Strength in proprietary hobby and learning fields
Customers
  • Individual consumers
  • Senior demographic
  • Hobby and learning circles
  • Cultural groups
  • Local public entities
Products
  • Mail-order tours
  • Program-linked planning
  • Travel with online lectures
  • Hobby specialty tours
  • Cultural event tours

Services for Inbound Foreign Travelers

Overview
Provides experiential travel services corresponding to the increase in inbound tourists.
Competitiveness
Comprehensive multilingual support and regional network
Customers
  • Inbound travel companies
  • Inbound operators
  • Overseas travel agencies
  • Airlines
  • Tourist information centers
Products
  • Inbound package tours
  • Airport pickup services
  • Multilingual tour guides
  • Cultural experience programs
  • Transfer and interpretation services

Corporate Welfare Services

Overview
Plans and provides travel services as part of corporate welfare programs.
Competitiveness
Flexibility to meet diverse usage needs
Customers
  • Large corporations
  • Medium-sized and small enterprises
  • Welfare outsourcing companies
  • Staffing agencies
Products
  • Welfare travel planning
  • Accommodation discounts
  • Health promotion tours
  • Employee recreation
  • Accommodation packages

Online Reservation System Provision

Overview
Provides IT solutions enabling efficient reservation management and sales promotion.
Competitiveness
High-quality systems linked with group IT technology
Customers
  • Group companies
  • External travel companies
  • Accommodation operators
  • Corporate customers
Products
  • Reservation management systems
  • Product sales platforms
  • Customer information management
  • Marketing support tools

Travel Planning Consulting

Overview
Provides planning and operational support for tourism promotion.
Competitiveness
Regionally attuned proposals based on industry expertise
Customers
  • Local governments
  • Tourism associations
  • Private travel companies
  • Event operating groups
Products
  • Product planning support
  • Regional tourism strategy creation
  • Marketing research
  • Event planning and operation

Caregiving/Life Care Travel Services

Overview
Deploys travel services specialized in caregiving needs, ensuring safety.
Competitiveness
Safety measures by specialist staff
Customers
  • Senior facilities
  • Care facilities
  • Welfare organizations
Products
  • Caregiving-inclusive travel plans
  • Mobility support services
  • Life support tours

Event/Convention Planning Support

Overview
Supports planning and operation of business events and cultural gatherings.
Competitiveness
Extensive network and experience
Customers
  • Corporations
  • Local governments
  • Group sponsors
  • Cultural event operators
Products
  • Conference/seminar planning
  • Event operational support
  • Customer attraction tool provision

Overseas Travel Product Planning and Sales

Overview
Plans overseas travel products to meet diverse customer needs.
Competitiveness
Global local network
Customers
  • Group travel companies
  • Individual customers
  • Corporate customers
Products
  • Overseas packages
  • Incentive tours
  • Free travel plans
  • Local optional tours

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Strong support system from Kintetsu Group
  • Broad lineup of domestic and international travel products
  • Abundant track record in group travel
  • Advanced planning capabilities for corporate market
  • Strength in media-based travel business
  • Access to wide customer segments
  • Nationwide sales and operational network
  • Expansion of online sales
  • Business diversification through multiple subsidiaries
  • Unique development in cultural and hobby travel
  • Comprehensive services for inbound foreigners
  • Solid fundraising base
  • High reliability from tourism agency certification
  • JR designated travel agency status
  • Development of multilingual services

Competitive Advantages

  • Stable supply and financial strength via Kintetsu Group network
  • High brand recognition in group travel market
  • Customer acquisition power leveraging multichannel sales
  • Media-type reinforcement strategy utilizing Club Tourism
  • Specialized inbound service provision
  • Improved convenience through enhanced online reservation systems
  • Establishment of regional collaboration via locally focused tours
  • Planning capabilities and track record for corporate customized tours
  • Customer trust from long industry history
  • Synergy effects from integration with events and welfare business
  • Risk diversification through diversified subsidiaries
  • 対応 for seniors and caregiving travel by specialist staff
  • Advanced marketing capabilities and analytics tool utilization
  • Possesses tourism agency registration certified by Director-General of Tourism Agency
  • Planning capabilities across broad cultural and hobby categories

Threats

  • Decline in travel demand due to COVID-19 impact
  • Intensifying competition with online travel reservation sites
  • Risk of fluctuations in inbound foreign tourist numbers
  • Delayed response to travel demand shifts from aging society
  • Rising overseas tour costs from exchange rate fluctuations
  • Impact of natural disasters on tourist destinations
  • Rising operational costs from labor shortages
  • Risks from regulatory strengthening or changes in travel industry laws
  • Fierce competition with major travel companies
  • Competition for tourism resources among regions
  • Risks of online fraud and data leaks
  • Shifts in tourism seasons due to climate change

Innovations

2023: Digital Transformation Promotion

Overview
Renovates online reservation system and improves customer experience.
Impact
Contributes to improved customer convenience and increased reservations

2022: Expansion of Services for Inbound Foreigners

Overview
Strengthens multilingual tour guides and tourism plans to meet inbound demand.
Impact
Contributes to inbound sales expansion

2024: Development of Online Seminar/Lecture-Linked Tours

Overview
Introduces tours linked with online learning specialized in hobbies and education.
Impact
Develops new customer segments and improves satisfaction

2021: Fundraising via Preferred Shares

Overview
Raised approx. ¥40 billion from Kintetsu Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, etc.
Impact
Contributes to financial base strengthening and management stability

2020: Strengthened Management Integration with Club Tourism

Overview
Consolidates media-based travel business to expand efficiency and synergy effects.
Impact
Cost reductions and service improvements

Sustainability

  • Enhanced infection control measures and promotion of safe travel
  • Tourism resource protection through collaboration with local communities
  • Reduced environmental impact via online sales promotion
  • Sustainable travel planning incorporating diverse customer needs
  • Employee health management and work-life balance support
  • Social contributions through CSR activities
  • Energy-efficient office operations
  • Participation in regional cultural promotion activities
  • Promotion of plastic reduction in travel industry
  • Dissemination and awareness of sustainable tourism