Japan freebies helping destination to bounce back

JAPAN’S MICE suppliers are offering incentives for event planners and turning up in full force at major tradeshows this year.

Apart from IT&CM China, Japan Convention Bureau will be participating in CIBTM, IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX USA and EIBTM this year.

Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau-convention marketing department manager, Yuka Iida, said: “We are offering a free traditional performance and Tohoku handicraft for MICE groups that take up at least 200 roomnights. This helps the local economy and makes participants feel good about helping the affected destination. We also engaged a European consultant to conduct a risk analysis that reported Tokyo is safe.”

Niigata Visitors & Convention Bureau is offering delegate gifts worth a maximum of 100,000 yen (US$1,229), and subsidies on attractions and excursions worth up to 100,000 yen for MICE groups with at least 25 participants staying two nights or more.

Hotels and convention centres have also rolled out promotional meeting packages, while some are offering 10-15 per cent discounts on room rates.

Buyers at IT&CM China said the perks had helped to stimulate demand. Air Tours Cracow Poland product manager, Robert Magierski, noted that interest in Japan had “bounced back immediately” and he had been fielding incentive requests for the destination.

Read more in TTG Show Daily – IT&CM China 2012

Sponsored Post