OTS powers booking efficiency with Rapid Lodging API

For over 60 years, Overseas Travel Service (OTS) has been a powerhouse in the Japanese tourism market. They serve a network of 5,000 travel agencies, focusing on flights, hotels, transfers and activities for corporate business travel and overseas travel for government agencies.

To maintain a competitive edge amid rising client demand, the team faced a critical hurdle: the need for robust, reliable API access to global lodging inventory, enabling agents to compare and book rooms instantly.

As an Expedia Group partner for the past 12 years, OTS has integrated exclusively with Rapid Lodging API to transform their lodging business in several key ways:

• Global reach and direct rates: OTS tapped into Expedia Group's massive global inventory and dynamic rates, including competitive B2B distribution rates and discounted package rates, to offer agencies more booking options and drive higher conversion.
• Smarter search: OTS optimised the booking flow by integrating the Typeahead API, which provides real-time destination, point-of-interest and property suggestions as travellers type. Sui Yamaguchi, Executive Director, explains, "The Typeahead API has reduced input errors by about 30% and sped up booking, making the process more accurate and satisfying for our agencies."
• Booking at scale: As an early pilot partner of the new group booking capability on Rapid Lodging API, OTS can book up to 20 rooms in a single transaction via API — essential for powering their high-volume group travel business.
• Seamless communication: OTS improved post-booking support by integrating Expedia Group's Property Message Centre, enabling agents to communicate directly with hotels to ensure premium service quality.
• Strategic partnership: OTS sees Expedia Group not just as a system provider but as a true teammate. With opportunities to pilot new API features, OTS helps co-create solutions for the Japanese market leading to deep trust and continual innovation.

The exclusive partnership and tech integration delivered immediate impact, driving remarkable sustained growth year-over-year:

• 50%+ consecutive annual growth in Expedia Group bookings*
• 60%+ consistent annual growth in Expedia Group booking value*

Thanks to the Rapid Lodging API and Expedia Group's ongoing collaboration, OTS empowers Japanese travel agencies with world-class booking tools — delivering efficiency, choice and a more satisfying experience for all travellers.