Tourism Otetsutabi: turning lodgers into temp staff

Otetsutabi, a service matching people who want to work while travelling with inns and other accommodation facilities in Japan grappling with staff shortages, has seen a surge in registered users. This season, the service has seen a 50% increase in the number of people wanting to work over the year-end and New Year period compared to last season. It is attracting attention as a new form of travel, with users of all ages seeking experiences that cannot be obtained through ordinary trips and gaining a glimpse of areas where they might eventually settle.

Otetsutabi (おてつたび) is a portmanteau of the Japanese words "otetsudai" (helping) and "tabi" (trip).

The startup, based in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, launched in 2019. Users can choose from various types of work starting from increments of a few days, with jobs ranging from cleaning guest rooms to helping with the operation of ski resorts and harvesting at farms. The service has even seen an opening for a mayoral secretary in the past. Workers have to pay for their own transportation, but their lodgings are provided free of charge, and they are guaranteed to be paid the minimum wage in that area. Some facilities provide meals and there are also places where workers can use hot springs free of charge.

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The service has seen a surge in registrations, from 10,000 in 2021 to over 48,000 in 2023. A spokesperson said, "Many people are looking for new connections and adventures, as they feel isolated by the pandemic." The service has also attracted more businesses, from 400 in 2021 to 1,200 in all 47 prefectures of Japan in 2023. As the COVID-19 situation has improved, tourism has picked up, but many lodgings have reduced their staff and are now overwhelmed by visitors. They need to hire workers for busy times, and Otetsutabi helps them do that.

There have been some cases where business operators have used Otetsutabi to encourage people to move to regional areas to solve chronic labour shortages and declining populations. And some people have decided to move to those areas through their jobs.