From left: Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer Sekiguchi, Ms. Ikeda, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism Uchiyama.

At the Tour Conductor of the Year 2025, organized by the Japan Tour Conductor Association, Ms. Kanae Ikeda (then a 4th-year student in the Faculty of Tourism) received the Excellence Award. An award ceremony was held on June 17th at the Chiba Tokigane Campus. At the ceremony, Mr. Akio Sekiguchi, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer of Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd. (General Manager of East Japan Sales Division), presented Ms. Ikeda with the certificate of commendation. Ms. Ikeda will graduate from our university in March 2026 and is currently working at Tokyu Corporation's Nakameguro Station (Meguro Ward, Tokyo).

The Tour Conductor of the Year is an award system that recognizes outstanding tour conductors who strive daily to enhance customer satisfaction as directors of valuable travel experiences, in addition to itinerary and safety management, in their tour operations.

The Tour Conductor of the Year 2025 selects tour conductors who were active and made achievements between April 2024 and March 2025. The recipients were decided as a result of a rigorous selection process by the selection committee.

Ms. Ikeda receives the award from Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer Sekiguchi (left).

Ms. Ikeda participated in the "Student Tour Conductor Program" conducted by our university and Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd., and passed the Chief Itinerary Manager examination in September 2023. She began her tour conducting duties in November of the same year. In 2025, she served as a tour conductor for day trips to Gunma and Nagano prefectures, achieving high customer satisfaction ratings in customer surveys. Her sincere and motivated approach to her duties as a student tour conductor was recognized, leading to her recommendation for this award by the company.

Comment from Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer Sekiguchi

We highly valued her customer-first approach even in tense situations and recommended her. In fact, she is the first student tour conductor to receive direct words of gratitude from customers in a letter. We found it very reassuring that she demonstrated professionalism and hospitality despite being a student. We expect that the experience of delighting customers will be a great encouragement for her future.

Comment from Ms. Ikeda, recipient of the Excellence Award

While accompanying a tour to Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture, utilizing the JR Limited Express, the return train was delayed by 2 to 3 hours. This made it difficult for customers traveling to distant locations to make their connections. However, by researching and individually guiding each customer on their transfer methods, I was able to ensure everyone returned home safely. This customer service was evaluated and led to this award. Although I am currently working for a railway company, this experience is proving useful in handling customer issues during significant train delays. I am deeply grateful to everyone involved for their guidance and cooperation, which made this Excellence Award possible. I offer my sincere thanks.

We look forward to Ms. Ikeda's continued success. We also express our gratitude to Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd. for providing this valuable tour conducting experience.

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 表彰