2026 Golden Week Amidst High Prices: "Travel Part-Time Jobs" for "Affordable" Trips – Otetsutabi Launches "Golden Week Special Feature"

Press Release Information Title: 2026 Golden Week Amidst High Prices: "Travel Part-Time Jobs" for "Affordable" Trips – Otetsutabi Launches "Golden Week Special Feature" Subtitle: During long holidays, participants who choose to "work at their travel destination" seek to "save on travel expenses" and "gain new experiences." Company Name: Otetsutabi Inc. Industry: Hotel/Leisure, Education/Qualifications/Human Resources

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2026 Golden Week Social Background: The "Wall of High Prices" and "Travel Aversion"

The 2026 Golden Week offers an excellent schedule, with a 5-day holiday centered around May 2nd (Saturday) to May 6th (Wednesday, substitute holiday), and potentially up to a 12-day break (April 29th - May 10th) by taking weekdays off.

On the other hand, the serious issue is "travel aversion" due to soaring prices. With the rise in accommodation costs, the average domestic travel expense is expected to reach an all-time high of 52,900 yen (102.9% year-on-year increase)※. While this figure of 52,900 yen assumes a single trip, travel costs can multiply several times over for longer durations.

In reality, reasons for abandoning travel include "lack of household budget" (33.5%) and "high travel costs" (29.6%)※, which are top concerns. The increase in accommodation and transportation expenses strains household budgets, creating a dilemma of "wanting to travel but being unable to," even during long holidays. ※ Source: JTB Research Institute "Travel Trend Outlook 2026 (January - December)": https://www.tourism.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-travel-trend-outlook.pdf

### The "Quality of Travel" Re-evaluated Amidst High Prices: The Demand for a "New Form of Travel"

In 2026, with rising travel costs, it's becoming harder to find value beyond the price for "travel that involves only sightseeing and consumption." In a previous survey (※), 96.9% responded that they were interested in "travel that involves interacting with local people and experiencing their lives." Beyond the economic aspect of reducing travel expenses, the very purpose of travel is clearly shifting from "sightseeing" to "deep experiences" in the region.

【Why Seek Travel that Involves Interaction with the Region?】

When asked, "Please select the reasons for your interest (multiple answers allowed)," the top answer was "Want to know the real daily life of the region, not just general sightseeing" (70.5%). This was followed by "Want to broaden my values and perspective" (61.5%), indicating that many people seek "travel that actively involves interaction and experience in the region" rather than passive "consumption-based travel."

- 1st Place: Want to know the real daily life of the region (70.5% / 832 people) - 2nd Place: Want to broaden my values and perspective (61.5% / 726 people) - 3rd Place: Want to gain experiences and memories beyond just spending money (42.6% / 503 people) - 4th Place: Want to have an experience where I can be useful to the region and its people (40.9% / 483 people)

Two Major Reasons for Participants Choosing "Otetsutabi"

Participants of Otetsutabi often cite two strong motivations reflecting recent price increases and changes in work styles: "economic reasons" and "desire for new experiences."

### ① Economic Reason: "Overcoming the Travel Cost Barrier" due to High Prices through "Helping Out"

This is a choice to mitigate rising accommodation costs through "provided accommodation" and "rewards" earned by helping out, allowing people to not give up on travel or extend their stays.

- "To save on accommodation costs and travel throughout Japan" (Male, 50s) - "Tohoku is far, and it's economically difficult to relax. But if I have a little time while working, I can see the local life and visit the sea on my way back." (Female, 60s) - "I love traveling and want to visit various places in Japan, but I'm concerned about transportation and accommodation costs, so I haven't been able to go frequently lately. I learned about Otetsutabi and was attracted by the idea of being able to stay in different places while working." (Female, 50s) - "I love traveling, but it's expensive, so I always have short stays. With Otetsutabi, I can save on travel expenses, stay longer, and get to know the good aspects of the place." (Female, 50s) - "I am attracted by the ability to enjoy travel while reducing economic burden." (Male, 30s)

### ② Desire for New Experiences: Turning "Long Holidays and Paid Leave" into "Experiences" Rather Than Just Rest

Long holidays like GW, or using up paid leave before retirement, are viewed not just as rest but as "investment time for self-update," with many ambitious individuals eager to dive into busy work environments.

- "My company allows double work, so I wanted to spend my holidays meaningfully. I was attracted to Otetsutabi for combining tourism and work." (Male, 60s) - "I want to do Otetsutabi at hot spring resorts or seaside inns during long holidays like Golden Week or Obon." (Female, 50s) - "I work on weekdays, so I want to make good use of consolidated holidays like three-day weekends. From that perspective, Otetsutabi, where you can work while traveling, is the best!" (Female, 50s) - "I realized I didn't have long holidays, so I want to be adventurous, interact with people, absorb various things, and use them for my future. I want to be helpful to others." (Female, 60s) - "It's a busy season, so I expect it to be busier than usual, but I hope to work with other employees, exchanging smiles and encouragement." (Female, 50s)

Even when high prices make travel seem impossible, "Otetsutabi" allows people to enjoy trips while reducing travel costs. The system, which allows for deep engagement with the region's lifestyle, enables participants to gain "new experiences" while serving as "reliable helpers" to regions facing labor shortages. It is spreading as a "new form of travel" precisely because of the current high-price environment.

GW Period Otetsutabi Example Cases ※As of April 3rd

[View GW Recruitment Here](https://otetsutabi.com/plans?endDate=2026-05-06&startDate=2026-04-29&term=14&utm_medium=mv&utm_campaign=2026_gw)

What is "Otetsutabi"?

"Otetsutabi" is a matching service that combines "helping out" (short-term part-time work) with "travel." It matches regional businesses struggling with labor shortages with travelers who want to enjoy travel while working.

**Travelers** bear their own transportation costs to the destination, but can earn rewards by working there, thus reducing travel expenses. Furthermore, by interacting with local people, they can experience the region's culture and lifestyle more deeply.

**Regional businesses** can recruit workers from all over the country, helping to solve labor shortages.

For **regions**, it is expected to stimulate the economy as visitors enjoy sightseeing during their free time and promote the region's attractions through social media. Moreover, by spending a certain period (average stay for Otetsutabi is two weeks) in a region and deepening interactions with locals, it can lead to the creation of new "relationship populations" – people who think, "I want to see them again" or "I want to visit again." [See Otetsutabi's Website](https://otetsutabi.com/)

Expanding User Base: Not Just Gen Z, But Also "Senior Demographics"

"Otetsutabi" launched in January 2019, and as of April 2026, has surpassed 97,000 registered users. While approximately half of the participants are Gen Z, demand from the middle-aged and active senior demographic, who are looking for second careers, has also been increasing in recent years. There are over 2,400 accepting locations nationwide. The industries are primarily accommodation (hotels, inns) and primary industries, but acceptance is expanding to various fields such as guesthouses, campgrounds, sake breweries, seafood processing companies, and restaurants.

Actual Scenes of "Otetsutabi" Harvesting and sorting work at a persimmon farm