TTGassociations Publications January 2019 | Page 22

In terms of accommodation, the city
has 26,000 hotel rooms. Large hotels al-
low planners the convenience of secur-
ing all their needs in one location.
The Hilton Sea Hawk Fukuoka, for
example, has a convention hall for
4,000 people, 1,053 guestrooms and
onsite cultural activities for time-
strapped groups.
According to Tatsuro Iwase, direc-
tor of sales for the Hilton Sea Hawk
Fukuoka, Fukuoka’s convenient,
citywide transportation (especially the
city subway), access from the interna-
tional airport and rich selection of local
cuisine have proved attractive for its
event clients.
While the future of Fukuoka looks
bright for association meetings, chal-
lenges remain. According to Macphie,
the main ones are capacity and interna-
tional access.
“We have excellent facilities and ac-
cess from Asia, however, popularity (of
the city) means that booking in advance
is important,” he explained, noting that
more hotels are being built to increase
the city’s accommodations capacity.
Within the next few years, city room
inventory is expected to rise to 30,000.
Macphie believes the privatisa-
tion and redevelopment of Fukuoka’s
airport, including the creation of a new
2.5km runway designed to accommo-
date more international flights and ease
congestion, might see the creation of
more direct flights between Fukuoka
and cities in North America and Europe.
{ Need to know }
1 Great connection
Fukuoka International Airport has direct flights to 17 cities in Asia and one city in Europe
(Helsinki) while ships depart Hakata Port for Shanghai, China and Busan, South Korea.
2 One-stop service
Depending on the meeting, the FCVB can introduce to planners sightseeing materials,
unique venue options, tour guides and interpreters, advertising initiatives and organisations
offering Japanese cultural experiences such as tea ceremony.
3 Go for welcome support
Meeting Place Fukuoka can set up a welcome for association groups. Options include wel-
come banners, happi (festival) coat loans and referrals to traditional artists to perform at an
opening ceremony. Conditions apply.
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Go on a tranquil river cruise
A 70-minute river cruise can be taken
around the waterways surrounding Yana-
gawa Castle. The experience is conducted
in a traditional boat and rowed by boatmen
in costumes who sing old songs while ped-
dling with only a single staff. Some bridges
are so low that guests need to lower their
heads. By reservation, guests can enjoy
steamed eel during the tranquil ride.
Forest adventures start here
Ariake Sea, to the south of Fukuoka’s coast, is
renowned for large areas of fertile land. It is
the site of the largest bay in Kyushu Prefec-
ture, offering beautiful views and plentiful
farming and fishing opportunities. Experi-
ences for guests include making Ariake Nori
(Japan’s leading seaweed brand), as well as
picking fresh vegetables and fruit with local
producers throughout the year. Forest Adventure Itoshima offers five sites
of adventure courses for adults throughout
a leafy forest, with 38 pieces of apparatus
for participants to take on. The activities are
perfect as ice-breakers, and for bringing del-
egates closer together in fun ways at the end
of a meeting. There is a changing room, and
outdoor shoes can be rented.
Harvest nature’s bounty
Get to know a rare textile
Hakataori Kougeikan Sanui Textile takes
guests on a tour focusing on hakata-ori, a
traditional local textile used for obi belts
that fasten kimono. Guests can view historic
documents related to the fabric before joining
a tour of the factory and enjoying shopping.
Only 450 people now remain in the field of
hakata-ori production, making the textile rare.
The activity can accommodate 50 people.
“We have excellent facili-
ties and access from Asia,
however, popularity (of the
city) means that booking
in advance is important.”
Kenny Macphie
Spokesperson,
Fukuoka Convention and
Visitors Bureau
Make some food you cannot eat
In Japan, the window displays of most eater-
ies are filled with lifelike models of dishes
served. This activity, hosted by food model
specialist Sample Riki Co., allows partici-
pants to craft multiple colours of wax to
create a food model in a hands-on workshop.
Options include ramen noodles, a rice bowl
and a dessert. Up to 40 people can be ac-
commodated.
Partake in a tea ceremony at Kokura Castle Garden
Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies are conducted in a large, historic house adjacent to Kokura
Castle. The venue promises views of the castle, pond and surrounding manicured greenery. Visi-
tors can watch the tea be prepared or simply consume it along with a seasonal sweet. There are
low tables and chairs provided for those who prefer not to sit in formal style on tatami mats.