OCTOBER EDITION
2026 JTB Americas All Group Newsletter
Table of Contents
Employee Spotlight Gateball Group Discovers Brazil’s Northeast New Prince Golf Shuttle Begins Waikiki Service Keeping Waikiki Beautiful: JTB Hawaii Celebrates National Cleanup Day! Travel Deeper - Discover the Heart of Japan Employee Appreciation BBQ Honors Keiko Tarkington’s Retirement Super Girl Surf Festival Quickly Travel’s Sustainability Week Yoga and Finding Balance in a Digital World Department of the Month: Cruise Services Department (MC&A) Newsletter Poll
Click here to find previous newsletters in UCampus!
Employee Spotlight Mari Braulio Company: Quickly Travel Department: Finance Favorite Place I’ve been to: Chile Favorite Food: Pasta, especially spaghetti Place I’d like to go to: Italy I am looking forward to be part of JTB and start this new chapter of meeting people, exchanging experiences, learning from the team and contributing with my experience. Company: JTB Hawaii Travel Department: CS Headquarters Favorite Place I’ve been to: South Korea Favorite Food: Yakitori Place I’d like to go to: Paris I am looking forward to improving my customer service skills and enjoy working with my new team!
Risa Murayama
Quickly Travel
GATEBALL GROUP DISCOVERS LEISURE BRAZIL’S NORTHEAST
The Quickly Travel Leisure team recently organized a 12-day journey for a gateball group through Brazil’s Northeast, exploring the renowned Rota das Emoções across Ceará, Piauí, and Maranhão. The itinerary combined diverse landscapes, local experiences, and carefully selected hotels throughout the journey, including visits to Jericoacoara, the Delta do Parnaíba, Barreirinhas, and the breathtaking Lençóis Maranhenses. From planning and logistics to coordinating accommodations and experiences across multiple destinations, our Leisure team worked closely with the group to create a seamless and memorable journey. It was a great opportunity to showcase the diversity of Brazil while delivering a personalized travel experience tailored to the group’s interests and needs.
Tachibana Enterprises, LLC - Golf, Tour and Transportation
NEW PRINCE GOLF SHUTTLE BEGINS WAIKIKI SERVICE
Tachibana Enterprises launched a new shuttle service on September 15, 2026, connecting designated Waikiki hotels with Hawaii Prince Golf Club.
The service gives golfers a convenient transportation option and supports a smoother experience from hotel pickup through arrival at the course. Each day, our Golf Operations team coordinates reservations, guest information, pickup schedules, and driver assignments with the Prince team.
The program also strengthens our transportation business by making better use of TAC vehicles and drivers while supporting golf sales. This new partnership reflects our continued focus on improving service for visitors and working closely with business partners to create added value for our customers.
JTB Hawaii Group
Keeping Waikiki Beautiful: JTB Hawaii Celebrates National Cleanup Day! On September 19th, our JTB Hawaii Group volunteers kicked off National Cleanup Day with a mission to beautify the iconic Waikiki Beach. This annual coast-to-coast initiative brings communities together to combat litter and care for local parks, beaches, trails, and neighborhoods.
Starting at the Duke Kahanamoku statue, our amazing team walked down the Waikiki shoreline toward Diamond Head, picking up litter to preserve our beautiful coastlines. It was also incredibly rewarding to spot the trash bins donated by JTB Hawaii all along Waikiki—they definitely made our job much easier and continue to keep the beach clean every day!
We wrapped up the successful morning by cooling down with some delicious light refreshments, including musubi and tea. A massive mahalo to everyone who volunteered their time to keep Waikiki Beach beautiful for our community and visitors!
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If you’d like to see more photos, please access here!
Japan-U.S.
2026 ign pa
m uris Cam o T
JTB USA, MEETING AND EVENT TRAVEL DEEPER - DISCOVER THE HEART OF JAPAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 The Meetings & Events Department at JTB USA supported the Japan-U.S. Tourism and Culinary Night, a special event celebrating the longstanding friendship between Japan and the United States and commemorating the United States' 250th Anniversary. Held under the theme "Travel Deeper - Discover the Heart of Japan," the event encouraged travel beyond Japan's major cities and highlighted the culture, cuisine, and unique attractions of regional destinations across the country. Through tourism and culinary exchange, the evening showcased the diverse experiences Japan has to offer while strengthening connections between the two nations. In collaboration with JTB Communication Design, Inc., the JTB USA Meetings & Events team assisted with venue sourcing/coordination, guest registration, and attendee communications. Gishin Ko, Seiki Fujimori, and Saya Kondo led the planning and coordination efforts. On the day of the event, Norio Hasegawa and Ai Sato from the Operations team also provided onsite support and assisted with event execution. The JTB USA Meetings & Events team played a key role in the successful execution of the event, providing planning, coordination, and onsite support throughout the program. Their efforts helped create a memorable evening that showcased the heart of Japan while celebrating the strong ties between Japan and the United States.
Attendees received a virtual greeting from the Japanese Prime Minister.
The event was also attended by Ichikawa Danjuro XIII, a renowned Kabuki actor and one of Japan's most prominent cultural figures.
One of the biggest challenges for me was coordinating with the venue team in English. I wasn't confident in my English and could have asked others for help, but since I was assigned to take the lead on this project, I felt that communicating directly with the venue was also my responsibility. I approached it with the mindset that I simply had to step up and do it. There were many details and issues to work through before the event, but handling them one by one and successfully reaching the event day gave me valuable experience and greater confidence. Most importantly, this experience taught me what it means to take responsibility for the work entrusted to us as JTB USA and follow through until the job is done. Even when we didn't receive the responses we needed, I learned not to simply stop and wait, but to think of other ways to get the answers we needed and keep the project moving forward. Since our clients trust us to manage this coordination, I realized how important it is to keep looking for solutions and take responsibility for delivering results (Seiki Fujimori - JTB USA, M&E)
Through this event, I gained firsthand experience in coordinating a large-scale event involving numerous stakeholders. I learned the importance of understanding decision-making responsibilities, effective communication, and attention to detail. Receiving positive feedback directly from attendees after the event was especially rewarding and reinforced the impact of our team's efforts. Overall, it was a valuable opportunity to experience both the challenges and accomplishments of delivering a national-scale event (Saya Kondo - JTB USA, M&E)
TRAVEL PLAZA TRANSPORTATION
Employee Appreciation BBQ Honors Keiko Tarkington’s Retirement
On September 18th, employees gathered for a special company BBQ to honor Keiko Tarkington's retirement and celebrate the successful conclusion of the summer season. Keiko joined JTB in 2001 and retired after 25 years of dedicated service. During her career, she took on a number of leadership roles, including the Division General Manager of the JHT Customer Service Department. In March 2020, she began a new chapter as the President of TPT, where she led the company with professionalism, compassion, and a deep commitment to both employees and customers. The gathering was a meaningful opportunity to thank our drivers, mechanics, dispatch team, and office staff for their dedication, hard work, and teamwork throughout one of the busiest times of the year. Employees also took time to reflect on the positive workplace culture and strong sense of collaboration that Keiko helped cultivate during her years with TPT. As colleagues shared memories and expressed their appreciation for her many contributions, the event served as both a celebration of a successful season and a heartfelt farewell. While Keiko’s retirement marks the close of an important chapter, her impact on the company and its people will be felt for years to come.
JTB USA, Global Sports Business Development Ken Hasunuma Isaiah Arana
SUPERGIRL
SURF FESTIVAL
Following the success of the Oceanside Surf Girl Festival, we traveled to Virginia Beach for the city’s inaugural Surf Girl Festival, held over Labor Day weekend. The event welcomed thousands of attendees from across the region for a weekend filled with music, sports, entertainment, and an energetic festival atmosphere.
Once again, we hosted a VIP hospitality space, offering guests prime stage views, two days of live music, beautiful weather, and an elevated festival experience. The entertainment lineup featured an impressive roster of performers, including B.o.B, Gym Class Heroes, Collie Buddz, Switchfoot, Bryce Vine, and many more. One of the weekend’s most memorable moments came Saturday when headliner B.o.B unexpectedly hopped over the bike barricade and made his way into our VIP hospitality space. He ordered drinks, mingled with guests, and brought his signature magnetic personality and high energy directly into the space, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance. Overall, the inaugural Virginia Beach festival delivered an exciting weekend of music, hospitality, and memorable guest experiences, continuing the momentum of the Surf Girl series. Next stop on the tour is Jacksonville, Florida. November 7-9, where we look forward to continuing the excitement and delivering exceptional festival experience.
VIRGINIABEACH,VA
Quickly Travel’s Sustainability Week Quickly Travel’s
Sustainability Week From September 14 to 18, Quickly Travel held its first Sustainability Week, bringing employees, clients, and partners together to promote more sustainable practices and inspire positive action. The week featured a solidarity thrift shop, a food donation drive, an employee bazaar with 13 participants, and talks led by clients and suppliers. Employees also took part in a Sustainability Challenge, sharing creative sustainable practices and ideas that could be implemented in our daily operations. Together, we collected more than 60 kg of food for donation, demonstrating how small actions can create a meaningful collective impact. The initiative reinforced our commitment to sustainability while encouraging collaboration, creativity, and engagement across our community. Quickly Travel - ESG Committee
JTB USA - DMC CORPORATE
Yoga and Finding balance in a digital world Smartphones and computers have become essential parts of our daily lives, and many of us spend hours each day in front of a screen. I started practicing yoga after an injury. At first, it was simply a way to improve flexibility and take better care of my body. I am certainly not a yoga expert, and these are only observations from my personal experience.
By: Ryutaro Yamada
Over time, however, I found that yoga offered more than physical benefits. It helped me focus on the present moment, clear my mind, and reduce stress. Regular movement, whether through yoga, stretching, or simple exercise, has also improved everyday life. Tasks such as bending down to pick something up, tying my shoes, or reaching for items on a high shelf feel easier than before.
Another aspect I enjoy is being part of an environment outside of work. Conversations with people from different industries often provide new ideas and perspectives. I am especially inspired by those who remain remarkably flexible as they age, as well as those who continue training despite injuries or physical limitations. Watching their determination reminds me that improvement is possible at any stage of life through patience, consistency, and a positive mindset. Recently, I have noticed growing interest in activities such as hiking, sauna visits, and campfires. In our digital world, people may be seeking ways to reconnect with nature, others, and themselves. Technology plays an important role in our lives. The goal is not to disconnect from it, but to live in balance with it. Taking time to move, breathe, and be present can help create a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Department of the mOnth: Cruise Services Department (MC&A) What does your department do?
The MC&A Cruise Services Department serves as the primary shoreside partner for cruise lines visiting Hawaiʻi, coordinating services that support both guests and cruise line operations. The department consists of two divisions: Shore Excursions, which manages tours and guest experiences throughout the islands, and Turnaround Operations, which oversees embarkation, disembarkation, transportation, and pier logistics. Together, these teams help deliver seamless and memorable experiences for cruise guests across Hawaiʻi.
Who are your primary customers?
Our primary customers are cruise lines and their guests visiting Hawaiʻi. We work closely with cruise line partners, local vendors, transportation providers, and tour operators to deliver exceptional guest experiences both ashore and at the pier.
What are some current challenges or opportunities? One of our biggest challenges is navigating unexpected weather events and natural disruptions, such as hurricanes and tropical storms that can impact cruise itineraries, port calls, transportation, and tour operations throughout the Hawaiian Islands. These situations also create opportunities for our team to demonstrate flexibility, strong communication, and problem-solving skills while ensuring the safety and experience of our guests remain the top priority.
Team Members:
Curtis Chee - Director Craig Stecker - Product Development Manager Trisha Gin Canoneo - Account Coordinator Mitchel Joy Dela Cruz - Account Coordinator Alvin Cabang - Account Coordinator Emily Phan - Account Coordinator David Le - Administrative Account Coordinator
What do you like most about working in this team/department?
What I like most is the collaborative nature of our department and the relationships we build with our cruise line partners, vendors, and colleagues across the islands. Every day brings something different, which keeps the work exciting and gives us opportunities to learn and grow.
Any stories you'd like to share?
One of my most memorable experiences was assisting a couple celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary during their first visit to Hawaiʻi and first-ever luau. The wife used a wheelchair, and I was honored to help them throughout the evening, making sure they could comfortably enjoy such a special milestone together. Seeing the joy on their faces and hearing how much the experience meant to them reminded me that our team plays a small but meaningful role in creating memories that last a lifetime.
Newsletter Poll October 22 is National Color Day so we invited everyone to vote for their favorite color and share colorful photos! BLUE ----------- 33% PINK ------------ 21% GREEN --------- 15% RED ------------ 10% PURPLE (tie) --- 6% WHITE (tie) ----- 6% MINT GREEN ----4% BROWN (tie) ---- 2% ORANGE (tie) -- 2%
BLUE took the top spot with ⅓ of the votes! How did your favorite color rank? KC Cahilig (USA) shares colorful photos from her travels in (from left to right): Hong Kong; Hoi An, Vietnam; and Busan, South Korea.
Reiko Stiver (JHT) shares colorful photos from Hawaii! Reiko and daughter Layla Masami adorn beautiful flower leis of various colors; large rainbow (anuenue in Hawaiian) at Ala Moana Beach Park; and a bright orange hibiscus in Haleiwa.
Jennifer Arroyo (USA) loves the color purple like these beautiful jacarandas in full bloom in Brisbane, Australia, which make the perfect backdrop for a photo.
Kazumi Nishizawa (USA) shares a colorful bunch of beautiful roses in varying shades.
The poll for the December newsletter is available on Dayforce Hub! You can also CLICK HERE to access the poll!
JTB AMERICAS
Human Resources
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL SPOT! Do you know a restaurant, café, bakery, or hidden gem that deserves a spotlight? We're launching an Employee Recommendation Series in our newsletter and would love to feature your favorite places to eat, drink, and unwind! Submit your recommendation and tell us: Name of the restaurant or café Location Your favorite menu item(s) Why you recommend it A photo of your meal or visit
📧 Send your recommendation to: acrowell@jtbamericas.com 🗓️ Submissions accepted yearround Your recommendation will be featured in an upcoming newsletter issue and help your colleagues discover their next favorite spot or travel destination!
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Thank you! 2026 JTB AMERICAS ALL GROUP NEWSLETTER