VALUE COMMERCE

ValueCommerce Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Jin Kagawa ) is conducting a demonstration test at two hotels in Tokyo starting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. With the goal of simplifying accommodation facilities’ check-in process , Web3 Registration Cards*¹ which incorporate next-generation Internet concepts are used in the experiment. The cards have been codeveloped with UPBOND Inc. (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takashi Mizuoka), a company that provides services in the Web3/NFT*² domain.

Problems faced by the tourism industry
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry suffered from a huge loss of human resources and good solutions to the labor shortage have yet to be identified. At the same time, there are good business opportunities connected to the increase in the number of inbound tourists.
The problems faced by accommodation facilities include the need for more people and time in the implementation of essential front desk operations in compliance with the Travel Agency Act, such as asking guests to fill out the registration card necessary for check-in, confirming the details of reservations and photocopying passports.
Guests feel frustrated when they cannot effectively use valuable time during their limited time for stay due to the fact that they have to wait a long time to check in, or when they have to do the same procedures at every hotel they check into.

What is possible with the Web3 Registration Card
After booking a hotel, you will receive guidance regarding registering for a Web3 Registration Card which combines the functionality of a registration card with the next-generation Web3.0*³ concept for the Internet that enables individuals to manage data, etc. without it being concentrated in the hands of a few people.
If you wish to use a Web3 Registration Card, use a smartphone to register your passport information in advance including the photo of your face
When checking in, a guest selectively shares with the hotel the information registered using the Web3 Registration Card system, and the hotel uses this information to confirms the guest’s reservation and obtain and record the guest’s personal information.

The Web3 Registration Card is based on the Login3.0*⁴ technology which allows users to independently manage their personal information and control who that data is provided to. When travelling, users can avoid having to do troublesome data entry tasks by selectively disclosing their personal information to external services if the services are linked to the Web3 Registration Card system. This enhances users’ satisfaction with their overall travel experience, including their accommodations. You can feel secure since you can manage and keep up to date on where your data is being shared.
The Web3 Registration Card co-developed by ValueCommerce and UPBOND eliminates hassles connected to the front desk operations of accommodation facilities and helps address the labor shortage. This benefits guests and enables accommodation facilities to provide a better customer experience.

Overview of the demonstration test
Guests who have consented to participate in the demonstration test enroll in it to examine if the presentation of a passport, one of the front desk operations performed on the first day of a guest’s stay, can be replaced by the showing of a Web3 Registration Card.
Date of start of demonstration test: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Cooperating facilities: MIMARU Tokyo Hatchobori and MIMARU Tokyo Station East

The demonstration test will be conduced as part of a Web3-based travel experience trial being run at two MIMARU urban apartment hotels developed by Cosmos Initia Co., Ltd. and operated by Cosmos Hotel Management Co., Ltd.
Note: See the press release published jointly by UPBOND Co., Ltd., Cosmos Initia Co., Ltd. and Cosmos Hotel Management Co., Ltd. https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000055.000065959.html

[Outlook]
Using the Web3 Registration Card technology, ValueCommerce and UPBOND will seek new travel ideals with the goal of resolving social issues through the realization of a seamless travel experience and the provision of high-level services.

[Footnote]
*1 Web3 Registration Card: Defined by the W3C (an organization for globally standardizing the Internet), these cards allow individuals to manage their digital ID themselves and they can be used as registration cards.
*2 Web3/NFT: Web3 is a concept of a next-generation Internet. A characteristic of it is that data, etc. is not centralized in the hands of a few actors. It is distributed to individuals, enabling the individuals to directly connect with one another.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are a unique form of digital data that is not fungible. They are digital tokens using blockchain technologies (something like an alternative to money).
*³ Web3.0: Conventionally, information and services on the Internet(Web1.0 and Web2.0) have been provided via centralized servers and platforms. Web3.0 uses decentralized technology in pursuit of and internet that can be controlled by users in a more self-driven manner.
*⁴ Login3.0: Individual-driven login infrastructure

About ValueCommerce Co., Ltd.
ValueCommerce has strong business pillars including the attraction of customers to e-commerce sites via affiliate services, social commerce, retail media and travel techs and sales promotion via pay-per-click advertising at online malls together with e-commerce site operation tools. The company provides total solutions from the attraction of customers to their retention and helps e-commerce business operators maximize their profits.
https://www.valuecommerce.co.jp/en/

About UPBOND Co., Ltd.
With the mission of “connecting society through the power of individuals,” we aim to realize a self-sovereign lifelog platform that provides individuals with full control over their lifelogs.
Our main services include:
・Login3.0, a self-sovereign login infrastructure that addresses challenges related to corporate identity, and
・Login3.0 with AI Agent, an AI agent service that utilizes individuals’ lifelogs
https://www.upbond.io/

For media inquiries, please contact
Public Relations, ValueCommerce Co., Ltd.
E-mail: press@valuecommerce.co.jp