|
a pdf download from www . japanmeetings . org .
In terms of recent meetings infrastructure and investment news in Japan ’ s key cities , JNTO reports :
• Kumamoto-Jo Hall , October 2019 , a four-storey building with a main hall able to accommodate 2,304 delegates seated and 1,600sqm of exhibition space and underground parking
• Nara Convention Hall , April 2020 , offers 18,000sqm of space , 14 meetings rooms and a JW Marriot Hotel Nara on site offering 150 rooms
• Pacifico Yokohama North , April 2020 , has a 6,300sqm hall and 42 breakout rooms
• Dejima Messe Nagasaki , due to open in autumn 2021 , will have a Hilton Hotel .
A swathe of luxury hotels opened from 2019 to 2020 in Japan and include the Park Hyatt Kyoto , Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono ( Hokkaido , the venue of G20 Tourism Minister Meetings in 2019 ), Aman Kyoto , The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu ( part of the Prince Hotel Group , Karuizawa Prince Hotel West and The Ritz-Carlton Nikko .
Fast forward to March 2021 and the hotel Osaka ( Marriott ) and the Fauchon Hotel Kyoto ( Fauchon ) both opened .
And , in January 2022 , Hotel Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei is scheduled to open .
The GBAC STAR Accreditation has been obtained by Pacifico Yokohama , Kyoto Convention Center , Ritz Carlton Hotel Tokyo , and Tokyo Midtown Hall & Conference Centre , all in fiscal year 2020 .
|
Bureau ( OCTB ) has led the way back in increasing awareness of the MICE industry and its importance , including releasing some of the first industry safety guidelines in Japan .
The city authorities moved quickly to halve the usage fees of INTEX Osaka , the largest event venue in western Japan , for all events held until September 2021 , with the mayor boldly stating : “ Japanese business events will restart from Osaka .”
Although international conferences and events have temporarily converted into hybrid and online formats due to Japan ’ s continued border restrictions , domestic events have produced some promising results .
Active messaging in Osaka from industry stakeholders when Covid cases have been low helped assure people that safe business events were not only possible , but necessary for economic recovery .
Two mega live events , in particular , are highly anticipated in Osaka : FOODEX Japan Kansai , a major event in the food industry , in July 2021 , and Tourism Expo Japan , the largest and most influential event in the Japanese tourism industry , in November 2021 .
The CVB is planning some aggressive marketing later this year , especially around the Tourism Expo Japan .
“ As restrictions ease and more domestic
|
events provide success stories , we will be able to prove to international organisers Osaka ’ s readiness and resilience . When international travel becomes possible we aim to be very active in our return to marketing Osaka as a business events destination .
“ Our biggest marketing push will involve the upcoming 2025 World Expo . Our aim is to use this focused media attention to showcase Osaka ’ s resilience and capabilities and attract even more attention to Osaka ’ s MICE industry ,” the CVB spokesperson tells CMW .
LGBTQ welcome
High-profile conference bids in the Osaka pipeline include plans to bring the International LGBTQ + Travel Association ( IGLTA ) Annual Global Convention to Osaka in 2024 . The city has launched a campaign to spread awareness of its status as a welcoming destination for LGBTQ travellers , and has launched Japan ’ s first DMO-led Pride Month campaign as well as the Visit Gay Osaka information portal , the first of its kind in Japan .
Osaka ’ s people are known for being some of the most welcoming in Japan . They are also fiercely proud of their food culture .
The city has reliable and modern
|
Top : Osaka City Central Public Hall and , above : INTEX Osaka |
|
Osaka – the MICE restarter |
||||
|
Osaka , a large port city on the island of Honshu , hosted the first large event to be held in Japan after the Covid national state of emergency . The Kansai Hotel and Restaurant Show was held successfully in the city in July 2020 .
The Osaka Convention & Tourism
|
Left : Osaka Castle Park |