HISTORY
1950’s
月Established in October by President Ryokou Higashi
Okinawa Tourist Service Inc.was established on Oct. 1, 1958, with offices at the site of the current head office in Matsuo, Naha City. Ryokou Higashi became the company’s first president.
The six young founding members, including Ryokou Higashi, Seikin Miyasato, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Itsuo Oshiro, and Kakun Takara, had very strong passion for the tourism business, and unanimously decided to name the company "Okinawa Tourist."
月In February, official IATA authorization
To promote overseas tours full-scale, the company became an officially authorized agency of International Air Transport Association (IATA) in February 1959.
1960’s
A picture of the staff on New Year 's Day 1960, two years after the company founding.
From left, front row, President Ryokou Higashi, Miyoko Kamiunten, Misako Oshiro, Yasuko Omine, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Itsuo Kinjo. From left, back row, Kakun Takara, Seikin Miyasato, Tetsuo Taira, Hiroshi Yabiku
月Opened Koza Sales Office in March
At the same time as joining IATA, Koza sales office opened in Koza City, home to large U.S. bases, in March 1960.
Koza Office ready to receive American customers.
月Became a member of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
In July 1961, we joined PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) following IATA, to facilitate the smooth operation of our tours and enhance our reputation within the industry.
月January, "Okinawa Tourist Friendship Association" (the current OTS Friendship Association) Secretariat established.
月August, Nago sales office opened (northern travel agency merger).
Following the opening of the first Koza Office, the Nago Sales Office opened after a merger with the Hokubu Travel Agency.
月July, Opening of the Ishigaki sales office.
月Joined the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
月January, Naha Sales Office opened (approved by IATA in March 1969 / promoted to branch in 1977)
月July, Tokyo Office opened (promoted to branch in 1974) (renamed Shimbashi Branch in 1993)
月September, signed Southwest Airlines Sales and Operating Agreement
月October, Miyako sales office opened (promoted to branch in 1989)
月February, Kagoshima Sales Office opened (promoted to branch in 1986)
月March, Contract with the agencies of Ryūkyū Kasai and Kyōwa Kasai.
1970’s
Foreign rental car and staff. The OTS Rental Car started with less than 10 second hand vehicles, such as Chevrolet and Corvette, and most of customers were U.S. military personnel.
月February, Osaka Sales Office opened (promoted to branch in 1979)
月June, Rent-a-car business started
月October, Approval as ANA ticketing agency
月March, The Minister of Transport Registered Okinawa Tourist Service as a General Travel Agency "Approval No. 155"
月April, JATA (Japan Association of Travel Agents) affiliation.
月November, Tokyo Sales Office with Japan Airlines (JAL) Ticketing Agency agreement.
月October, Toa Domestic Airlines (TDA) Ticket Agency approval.
月December, Fukuoka sales office opened
月October, Nagoya sales office opened.
月July, Opening of Hotel New Okinawa (transferred on February, 2012).
月August, Urasoe sales office opened.
月July, Kumamoto sales office opened.
月August, Uniform (aloha shirt style) was established.
月November, Business alliance with American Express.
1980’s
月August, Sendai Sales Office opened.
月April, Ministry of Finance approved currency exchange business starts.
月January, Gushikawa Sales Office opened.
月November, All our offices were able to access online from computer.
月June, Opening of Hotel Kokusai Plaza (transferred on April, 2007).
月September, The 42nd National Sports Festival held in September [Transportation services consigned to OTS]
月June, Hiroshima sales office established.
月September, OTS Tourism Development Corporation was established (currently the OTS Service Management Institute).
月June, Okayama sales office opening.
1990’s
月August, Mr. Ryoko Higashi (the President & Representative Director) was awarded as "Person of Merit in Tourism Business" from the Minister of Transport.
月February, Tokyo Main Office opening.
月October, Shinjuku branch opening.
月February, Seikin Miyasato became OTS President
月June, "Papua New Guinea Special Project" by OTS selected “Tour of the Year '94” Grand Prix winner
月June, new Head Office building completed
月December, OTS Rent-a-car airport office opened (currently Akamine office).
月September, Taisho Sales Office (Osaka) opened.
月October, Mr. Ryoko Higashi (the President & Representative Director) passed away.
月November, Mr. Ryoko Higashi was decorated with the Jurokui Fifth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure.
2000’s
月February, the enterprise Capital increased to 55 million yen.
月February, ECO marine club business received "2002 (4th) Business-Only One Award".
月March, Mr. Seikin Miyasato becomes Representative Director and Chairman and Mr. Yoshikazu Higashi becomes President and Representative Director.
月June, OTS Call Center opened
月July, Hamby Travel Center opened
月November, Mr. Seikin Miyasato received "the Okinawa Prefecture Distinguished Service Award".
月February, 4 in-store travel centers opened in San-A department stores
月April, Ginowan Branch opened
月July, Taipei Office opened
月August, Blue Ace Grand Service Co., Ltd. established.
月October, San-A Shiozaki City travel center opened
月November, Naha West building completed, Naha West Branch opened
月April、Acquisition of management rights of ATLAS TRAVEL SERVICE (Taipei).
月May, OTS Chairman Seikin Miyasato received Asahi Shimbun Decorative Award
月October, OTS Rental Car Toyosaki Sales Office opened at Toyosaki
月March, Hokkaido Tours INC established.
月March, Machida Branch in Tokyo opened
月April, Establishment of the Insurance department.
月April, Ameku Branch opened (relocated Naha Tomari Branch)
月June, Koza Branch opened (reorganized Plaza Branch)
月August, 100th Anniversary of Okinawan emigration to Brazil and Argentina (JAL charter travel)
月September, Seikin Miyasato receives Ryukyu Shimpo Award
月September, OTS Rent-a-car Taipei Reservation Center opened.
月October, OTS 50th anniversary celebration performance of Okinawan opera “Kimutaka-no Amawari”
月November, San-A Kyozuka City travel center opening (reorganized Shuri Branch)
月December, OTS 50th anniversary celebration ceremony
月April, OTS Rent-a-car Introduced 4 languages car navigation system (First in Japan)
月June, OTS Car Rental opened Chitose Airport Sales Office / Sapporo Sales Office
2010’s
月May, OTS Rent-a-car Hakodate branch opened.
月October, OTSBP Holdings Co., Ltd.
月November, OTS Toyosaki building completed (Part of head office functions relocated)
月December, Company childcare facility "Fujinoki Nursery School" opened
月December, Received "Cruise of the year 2011"
月June, OTS Rental Car opened Yui-rail Tsubogawa Station Branch
月September, Tour Grand Prix 2012, domestic – Destination Japan Grand Prix winner "Muslim Okinawa Tour" by OTS.
月March, Received Ministry of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry award "New Diversity Management Selection 100"
月April, Business alliance with ZERO PLANNING CO., LTD. (Hokkaido)
月July, World Sports Event "Corporate Games," license 2015 - 17
月October, Tourist Information station "OTS Members Lounge" opened (Matsuo Building 2F)
月October, Published 「Tourism as a job (The edition of Okinawa Tourist 55th anniversary)」 written by Seiji Yoshizaki
月January, Okinawa Prefecture Impressive Industry Strategy Building Project Symposium held (OTS Service Management Research and Consulting, Inc.)
月February, ANA IIT agency connection started (Connection started in April in Okinawa Prefecture)
月March, San-A Main Place travel center renewal opening
月June, San-A Wing City travel center renewal opening
月July, OTS Car Rental introduced camper car rental
月August, OTS Chairman & CEO Yoshikazu Higashi received Okinawa Prefecture Tourism Award
月August, Okinawa Tourist Service Island Travel information opened (Tomarin 1st floor, Naha)
月December, OTS GLOBAL PTE LTD, OTS Singapore office and OTS Car Rental Singapore Call Center opened
月February, Tax free shop registration (Head Office 1st floor, OTS Rent-a-Car Toyosaki Sales Office, OTS Members Lounge, Eco Co., Ltd.)
月March, 1st Okinawa Corporate Games held with 1,500 participants from Japan and overseas.
月March, OTS Nikko Travel Agency opened in Seoul after obtaining business license
月April, Sapporo branch relocated · Opened joint business with Hokkaido Tours Co.
月April, OTS Transport Co., Ltd. Established
月June, Tourism information centre "Ritou Marche" opened in Kokusai dori yatai mura
月July, Yokohama Branch opened (Relocated Shin-Yokohama Branch).
月August, 21 professional interpreter guide examination students with a professor from Fujian Province, China, arrived at Okinawa on invitation, support and co-hosting by OTS partners network.
月October, Inbound travel website "OneTwoSmile OTS HOTEL" opened
月December, OTS acquired naming rights to Choshi Electric Railway Inubozaki Station (nickname: "One Two Smile OTS Inubozaki Onsen Station")
月January, OTS Global Ltd. (Queenstown, New Zealand) founded
月February, Ginowan, Chubu Branch opened (San-A Ginowan Convention City Travel Center, merged Ginowan and Chubu Branches)
月March, 2nd Okinawa Corporate Games held with 2,000 participants from Japan and overseas.
月June, The 72nd UNESCO National Convention In Okinawa
月July, The 50th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Branch in July, Thank you evening party on Yakata boat.
月August, The 50th anniversary event of the opening of the Tokyo Branch "One Two Smile Night" held on Jingu Stadium – professional baseball game Yakult Swallows vs. Hanshin Tigers.
月September, OTS Transport Co., Ltd. charter bus company received the One Star certification for its safety evaluation system.
月January, Introduced OTS special travel vacation (for employees)
月March, Made Comprehensive Partnership Agreement with University of The Ryukyus, Faculty of Tourism Sciences and Industrial management
月April, Started salling tours collabolated with CLUB TOURISM
月April, The 3rd Okinawa corporate games (SPOFEST in OKINAWA) was held in Okinawa.
月May, WUBpedia Inc. established
月June, Ishigaki sightseeing center established (renamed and renew services from Ishigaki branch)
月July, OTS MICE MANAGEMENT Ltd. established (nenamed Corporate games JAPAN Co., Ltd.)
月July, Travel platform「One Two Smile Activities」opened.
月August, OTS Rent-a-car anniversary game for New Zealand branch was held in Tokyo (Yaklt swallows vs Yomiuri giants, Jingu stadium)
月October, Android free app「WUBpedia」started
月November, OTS Rent-a-car Queenstown Branch opend