Tours and activities online agency Viator launches its first language site in Asia this week with a dedicated service for travellers in Japan.
The introduction of Viatorcom.jp to the portfolio is the latest in a line of sites in local languages following the launch of sites in Danish, Dutch, Norwegian and Swedish in early-2010.
The total has reached eight in recent years after Viator added to its original English site with services for French, German and Spanish users in 2009.
Viator says the launch of its first local site in Asia comes as PhoCusWright data continues to illustrate the fast-growing marketplace amongst Japanese travellers for booking services over the web.
Nearly 80% of the population has access to the internet and online travel accounts for 20% of a $65.7 billion travel spend in the country.
Early indications from testing show that Japanese travellers are booking the traditional tourist attractions around the world, such as helicopter flights over the Grand Canyon, the Moulin Rouge show in Paris and visits to Stonehenge in the UK.