London has long claimed the top spot as the world’s international travel hub, and for any global travel agent a strong presence here is a must. With a Japanese community estimated at over 50,000, moreover, and many more of their countrymen visiting on holiday each year, Japan’s largest travel organisations have been quick to spot the opportunities for business in the city. HIS, which has played an instrumental role in the Japanese travel industry for over 20 years, has not been left behind. With European operations recently consolidated to provide ever easier and faster service to its customers, HIS plans to present an even greater challenge to its sometimes larger competitors.

Traditionally, HIS has catered to the economy traveller -- pioneering the development of affordable flights for students and opening doors to the world for thousands of young Japanese. In London this makes HIS the preferred travel agent for university students travelling to and from home, and for a younger generation of tourist. In 2002, amidst a depressed worldwide travel market, HIS achieved a monthly average of 800 inbound and 1,500 outbound customers, for a local turnover of $21 million.