Deregulation in the Field of Tour Management and Organization

• Under the newly effected law, LEC is designated as the first registered organization to conduct Tour Management and Organization training seminars.
• The seminars are available nationwide on a flexible schedule in the evenings and on weekends and holidays.

On May 11th, Tokyo Legal Mind K.K (LEC) became the first registered seminar organizer according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT). The seminar, called Travel Itinerary Management Seminar, is necessary for those interested in tour management and organization, and is delivered by registered seminar organizers. It is made possible by new deregulation whereby MLIT no longer designates, but accepts registration from different organizations. LEC has successfully become the first such registered organization. Based on this new registration, seminars will occur nationwide in more than 15 training centers in Japan. We would like to respond to the needs and requirements of students by offering courses in the evenings, as well as on weekends and national holidays.

1. We are now registered as the first organizers. LEC realizes flexible seminar schedule

Before this deregulation, a limited number of organizations, such as ANTA, JATA, and TCSA were designated by MLIT to organize Tour Management seminars. Since the revision on April 2005, the ministry changed its system from designation to registration, see Article 12 item 11 and following. LEC quickly took this opportunity and registered as the first official seminar organizer, authorized by MLIT on May 11th 2005. The registration this time will be regarded as one of the results of the on going deregulations. The seminars by LEC are conducted nationwide in more than 15 training centers in Japan. In addition, we will organize courses in the evenings, and on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays for the convenience of our customers.

2. Expanding the job contents. Increasing demands for Tour Management and Organization Qualified Staff

It is necessary to obtain travel itinerary manger qualifications for the travel agency to become the main body, which can organize their own trips or trips requested by the travelers. Based on the revision this time, the main organizers of the tours (for both self-organized and requested types) must obtain the qualification since the revision of the law this time. From this background, there are new needs for the individual travel agencies to maintain qualified work forces and it is expected that the demand for “travel itinerary managers” will increase in the near future.

3. LEC aims for promotion of qualifications and the supply of excellent human resources

Currently tour coordinators are mostly temporary workers

1. Good jobs are allocated to staff with experience and younger workers cannot be in charge of good jobs
2. Retirement allowances are not paid
3. The social security is unstable and the future is insecure

From such working conditions many people leave their jobs, although they are attracted to the work itself.

LEC will provide high-level classes and seminars and an accessible environment, in which highly-skilled Tour Coordinators can be trained. At the same time, we will coordinate with various relevant institutions, so that the working environment of the Tour Conductors will improve. Through these various attempts, we would like to contribute to the development of the travel industry as well as the employment of the young workers through the secure supply of excellent working forces.