4 July 2022

CTM extends global footprint with Japan office

Corporate Travel Management (CTM) Asia is establishing a wholly owned presence in Japan, with the opening of a new office in Tokyo set for 1 July 2022. The new location, situated in Japan’s capital and the world’s largest metropolis, expands CTM’s footprint in Asia and further cements it as one of the region’s preeminent travel management companies.

Larry Lo, CEO Asia, called expansion into Japan a strategically important win in the region, one that fills a longtime need.

“There is high demand in Japan for the services CTM excels at, including among many global companies who have teams based there,” he said. “CTM Asia has long been asked by prospective clients if we have an office based in Japan. Now, we can affirm that we do – complete with local expertise and the capability to provide a level of service that can only come from a wholly owned entity, operating as an extension of CTM.”

The expansion marks CTM Asia’s second in a span of a few months and follows the acquisition of Safe2Travel (S2T) in Singapore.

A timely opportunity

Demand for domestic business travel in Japan is brisk. And once Asian countries’ borders reopen, the picture improves significantly, Larry said, given the abundance of global firms with a Japanese presence and pent-up demand for international travel.

By standing up its Japan office now, he said, CTM will be well-positioned to capitalize on the region’s broader travel recovery in the months ahead. Further, it is precisely what many existing Asia clients and prospects have been asking for: end-to-end service delivered within Japan, a key business hub within the region.

Years in the making

The plan to expand into Japan was initiated several years ago, with CTM Managing Director and Founder Jamie Pherous and Global COO Laura Ruffles involved early on, analyzing the market and assessing the business case for a Japanese footprint.

Larry and his team worked to procure the proper licenses, locate a suitable premises, and identify and recruit qualified staff with applicable experience in global client needs and nuances. Jamie and Laura assisted in the search for prospective leaders, meeting personally with candidates.

“With the opening of our new CTM Asia office in Tokyo, our presence in the region grows, and our power to win new business grows,” Jamie said. “Our value proposition grows stronger, too, with a CTM-owned and -operated location in the urban heart of this strategically key country. It’s a win not just for the region, but for all of CTM Group.”

Please join us in welcoming CTM Japan team to the company, and stay tuned for updates on this newest addition to the CTM family.