Tabist

About Tabist

Tabist operates as a hotel management company in Japan, providing technological solutions to small and medium-sized independent hotels and traditional inns (ryokans). The company originated as the Japanese arm of the Indian hospitality startup OYO Hotels & Homes. OYO's entry into Japan began in April 2019 as a joint venture with SoftBank Corp. and the SoftBank Vision Fund, with the goal of leveraging OYO's business model and technology to revitalize the local lodging market. Prasun Choudhary, a founding member of OYO, was appointed as the initial operating partner to lead the Japanese venture. In August 2020, OYO's hotel and residential rental units in Japan were merged into a single entity, OYO Japan, led by CEO Ryoma Yamamoto.

A significant milestone occurred on April 1, 2022, when OYO Japan rebranded to Tabist, a name derived from the Japanese word for travel, "tabi." This strategic shift aimed to create a brand more attuned to the Japanese market, moving away from a standardized global chain to a specialized hotel management service that highlights the unique characteristics of each local accommodation. Under the leadership of President and CEO Ryota Tanozaki, who joined the predecessor OYO Japan in January 2020, Tabist focuses on the digital transformation of the hospitality industry. Tanozaki's prior experience includes leading the Instagram business at Facebook Japan.

Tabist's business model centers on providing partner hotels with a comprehensive suite of digital tools to enhance their operations and profitability. The core of its offering is a proprietary Property Management System (PMS) that integrates various functions like reservation management, dynamic pricing, and guest services into a single platform. This system helps hotel owners increase sales, improve productivity, and attract more guests. The company utilizes technology such as AI-powered dynamic pricing, which is refined using floating population data from SoftBank's group companies, to optimize room rates. Revenue is generated through its services to hotel partners. Tabist serves a wide range of clients, from budget-friendly business hotels to traditional ryokans across Japan, enabling them to compete more effectively. The company also offers a booking website and mobile app for travelers, which includes features like smart check-in and local travel recommendations.