About Us
Building Trust Through Transparency
We’re building a modern B2B marketplace that changes how travel professionals work together. Pagoda isn’t just another booking platform—it’s a federated marketplace designed for independent travel agents and local tour guides who want a better, more efficient way to collaborate.
Save 75% of Your Proposal-Building Time
After 20+ years in the travel industry, we launched our Japan operations in 2023 to solve a problem we saw everywhere: talented professionals drowning in email chains, scattered spreadsheets, and inefficient coordination that wasted everyone's time.
We started by manually connecting U.S. travel agents with Japanese tour guides. The results were immediate—both sides saved massive amounts of time and delivered better experiences. But manual processes don't scale.
That's why we built the world's first federated B2B marketplace where travel professionals build their own ecosystems while accessing a wider vetted network
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One marketplace. Two types of experiences.
Built for travel professionals.
Why this Matters:
Fixed-price essentials
Standardized services like food tours, transfers, and tickets—priced competitively and ready to book.
Private & bespoke tours
Customized experiences built around your client’s interests, delivered by vetted local experts.
One complete marketplace
Everything needed to build Japan itineraries in one place, without switching platforms.
How we’re Different
Federated Marketplace
Unlike traditional platforms where you're just another user, Pagoda gives you control
Your Relationships, Your Rules
Agents engage with suppliers they trust
Suppliers choose which jobs to bid on
No forced partnerships, no algorithmic ranking games
Your Brand, Your Platform
White-labeled itineraries with your logo
Client-facing proposals under your name
Coming in 2027, client facing Mobile App
Designed for Travel Agents, Period
Every decision we make starts with one question: does this help travel agents do their best work?
That’s why Pagoda is agent-first by design—no hidden incentives, no competing interests, no surprise changes.
Just a marketplace aligned with your success.
Built for Real People
We understand most of our users are:
Running businesses from home offices
Balancing family and work
Building something meaningful independently
Tired of being treated like small cogs in big machines
That's why everything we build asks: "Does this respect their independence and saves them time?"
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Our Commitment
Unlike traditional platforms where you're just another user, Pagoda gives you control
Transparency
Clear pricing (no hidden fees)
Honest limitations (Foundation is Japan-only, Pro and Explorer takes it to another level)
Real support (humans answer your questions, not just chatbots)
Security
Enterprise-grade payment processing
Escrow protection on every transaction
Bank-level data encryption
Your Success
75% average time savings on itinerary planning
Professional tools that cost $400+ elsewhere, included
Network effects that make everyone more valuable
Ready to Upgrade?
Pagoda Foundation
Free, by Design
Everything you need to plan trips in Japan
This plan includes
Full marketplace access to Japan's 100+ vetted suppliers.
Create itineraries, communicate with guides, experience the time savings.
Zero monthly fees.
Pagoda Pro
$199
/Per month
Your own global supplier ecosystem
This plan includes
Invite unlimited suppliers worldwide.
Build your marketplace.
Earn 3% perpetual commissions.
Access 2,000+ suppliers across 50+destinations.
Professional tools that save 75% of your time
Pagoda Explorer
$199
/Per month
For tour guides and operators
This plan includes
Get discovered by 1,000+ travel agents worldwide.
Upload unlimited tours.
Expand beyond your current 5-10 agent relationships and join the professional network.
Got Questions?
We've Got Answers
Explore Our FAQ Section for Clarity and Insight!
How does the bidding process work?
When an agent posts a job, eligible guides can submit bids. Agents can review profiles, compare proposals, and chat or meet on Google Meet with the guides who will be taking care of their clients before making a decision.”
Can I use PagodaTravel for multi-destination trips?
Yes. The itinerary builder was created specifically for planning multi-stop and multi-destination trips. You can add as many locations, activities, and services as you need, and keep everything organized in one place.
How are payments handled?
All payments are processed securely through Wise. This ensures safe, fast, and reliable transactions between agencies and operators, with funds moving through a trusted global payments provider.
Do tour guides need to be licensed?
Japan does not require a license for general tour guides who provide cultural explanations and accompany guests, as the national guiding license became optional in 2018. However, a license is required for tour conductors who manage packaged group tours and handle itinerary operations on behalf of a travel agency. To maintain quality and compliance, every operator is manually vetted by our admin team before they can accept jobs.
Is there support if something goes wrong?
Yes. If you run into issues, our support team is ready to step in and help. Whether it’s a technical problem or a dispute between parties, you’ll always have reliable assistance available.
