FCM, the travel management company, has entered into a joint venture with NSF Engagement in Japan. The investment will enhance FCM’s presence in Asia to support existing customers in the region while boosting its global footprint.
A robust business travel market, a strong increase in demand from customers across Asia and an opportunity to provide a differentiated service offering were among the decisive factors for FCM to expand its operations in Japan.
The company said feedback from FCM customers across all markets revealed a lack of adequate end-to-end business travel solutions in Japan that can deliver consistently and is simple to use at the same time. In the coming months, the full suite of FCM products and services will be introduced into Japan to support consistency and improved customer experience.
Bertrand Saillet, MD of FCM Travel Asia said: “Choosing to expand FCM’s presence in Asia at this critical time speaks volume of the tremendous potential Japan has towards FCM’s global strategy. As the world’s fourth-largest business travel market, Japan will undoubtedly provide exciting growth opportunities for FCM in the region.
"FCM and NSF Engagement both recognised that the Japanese travel market is ripe for disruption and our partnership presents an alternative for clients who are currently being underserved. NSF Engagement’s deep local knowledge complemented by FCM’s evolving technology and global expertise will allow us to provide global coverage for existing and new Japanese clients. We are thrilled to work with a partner who shares our vision to continue our expansion in Asia.”
Leading FCM Japan as GM is Kenichi Shiraishi, who will be responsible for developing strategic local supplier relationships and expanding FCM’s customer base in Japan. “For over ten years, FCM has been providing managed travel services in Japan to MNC customers but there were limitations working through an agency. Through a complete local infrastructure alignment and integration into FCM’s global systems, we will be able to provide customers with a true end-to-end FCM experience,” said Shiraishi.
“The growing interest in demand from FCM customers has required us to ramp up our products and services for Japan. We will be diversifying our access to suppliers by building and strengthening local relationships while leveraging on the global FCM network and expertise to accelerate the growth momentum. This will deepen our connection to the business travel community with a stronger local presence.”
Shigeru Hiromatsu, President and CEO of NSF Engagement said: “The Japanese business travel market offers vast opportunities to grow the customer base and expand with the right products and services. We see considerable synergy between NSF Engagement and FCM," and described FCM’s DNA as "unconventional, innovative and flexible".
