Shutting Down Announcement of Chat Concierge Service
October 1st, 2019
It is with deep regret and sadness that today we’re announcing that after two years and seven months of helping travelers as a chat-based concierge service, we will be shutting down the “chat concierge service” of Tabiko at 9:00PM, October 15th 2019 (GMT+9). You’re no longer able to access “CHAT” page on the app after that. We sincerely apologize for this sudden news.
This situation has occurred due to the fact that we failed to create a sustainable business model of online concierge. We had been trying to find a way to continue the concierge service before making this tough decision, but couldn’t find one. We are deeply sorry for this.
While it’s sad to say goodbye to the chat concierge service, it is important to remember that WE WILL NOT BE CLOSING THE TABIKO APP ITSELF. We’re eager to put our hearts into expanding our new feature “Tabiko TV” which is a travel live streaming service that locals broadcast and share their favorite places all around Japan. In the near future, every traveler will also be able to broadcast as well. We will continue Tabiko as a travel live streaming service and deliver new travel experiences.
Our current first priority is to ensure the safety of your upcoming trip to Japan. Please check the information below. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to shoot us an email at support@tabiko.com.
■ Chat Service
Every user can still ask concierges anything about Japan traveling until we shut down, which is on Oct 15th 2019.
■ New Reservation Requests
We will continue to help make a reservation until shutting down in case you are an existing Tabiko Premium customer. As for free users, we cannot accept a new reservation request due to shutting down soon.
■ Upcoming Trips
You will no longer be able to access “Trips” as well after shutting down but WE WILL NOT CANCEL AND KEEP YOUR UPCOMING RESERVATIONS WITH RESTAURANTS. If you are a user who has an “Upcoming” booking after October 15th on the Trips page, we will send a summary of your reservations to your email of Tabiko account on October 15th. You can check the reservation details there.
After shutting down on the October 15th, we can not accept new reservation requests anymore but you will still be able to change/cancel a reservation for free which you have made via Tabiko through contacting us at support@tabiko.com.
■ Refunding of Tabiko Premium
The below Tabiko Premium Subscriptions that cannot be used until the final date of your subscription due to the shutting down will be refunded.
– All yearly premium subscription
– Monthly premium subscription which were transacted after 9:00PM on September 15th (GMT+9)
Refund process
Please apply for your refund request using this form. Once your refund application has been processed, an amount equivalent which you had paid for the subscription will be transferred to your Paypal account in Japanese yen shortly. Money transfer fees will be paid by us.
Refund application period
Until 3:00 PM, November 29, 2019 (GMT+9)
Any application forms received after this period will NOT be considered.
Thank you for your understanding and we would like to express our sincere thanks to all Tabiko travelers to date. It has been a privilege to help with your trips. Please look forward to the new Tabiko.
Sincerely and Happy traveling!
The Tabiko Team
* To get to know more about the shutting down reason, please read this CEO post.
