THE impending upward adjustment of Japan’s consumption tax from the current five per cent to eight starting this April is not expected to affect Okinawa Convention Center’s (OCC) business, according to the venue’s MICE coordinator, Naomi Nakaza.

With a long history of 27 years as well as being the biggest convention space in Okinawa, OCC has its source markets from mainland Japan and overseas, especially Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and South Korea.

The centre has a discount policy that has been offering special rates to event organisers, such as 20-70 per cent less for international events with more than 10 attendees, and 10 per cent less for the rental of all OCC facilities for large-scale events.

Nakaza said the discount policy will continue albeit the implementation of the higher consumption tax in the country’s new financial year, but adjustments to the qualifying criteria can be expected, such as a minimum of 20 attendees may be required for events to enjoy the same 20-70 per cent discount.

Asked if OCC would expect business to suffer as a result, she said: “Previously, when the same tax was raised from three to five per cent – and in a short space of time – we did not lose much business.

Therefore this time, we believe we will continue to do well especially with support from our regular customers who believe in our offerings. We also expect that Japan’s economy will improve from now.”

OCC offers 10 conference rooms of varying sizes in two separate buildings, a 2,500m2 exhibition hall and a 1,709-seat theatre hall. Other supporting facilities include dressing rooms for performances and a tatami room for resting.

While maintenance and minor enhancements are regularly carried out in the premises, the centre’s most recent renovation was a massive repair work to its theatre hall following a typhoon that shattered the space’s glass wall, a spectacular stage backdrop that brings in panoramic views of the ocean.

Several of the centre’s conference spaces also boast a feature glass wall with an ocean or garden view, a unique offering that has been drawing event organisers and the wedding market from mainland Japan.

LANGHAM Hospitality Group has added its ninth hotel in China with the opening of the 327-room Langham Place, Xiamen.

Xiamen is one of China’s special economic zones, and Langham Place would be going after corporate meetings, incentives and product launches, a hotel spokesman said.

The hotel is a 15- to 20-minute drive from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Xiamen Conference and Exhibition Centre, Software Park, and the main railway station. It is a short stroll from Wanda Plaza, the city’s latest luxury fashion and shopping destination.

There are nine meetings rooms ranging from 60m2 to 720m2, and The Gallery comprises specially designed meeting spaces incorporating F&B areas and breakout lounges that are conducive for “focused and motivated” meetings.

The state-of-the-art audiovisual and lighting system in the pillarless ballroom is targeted at big social, lifestyle and incentive events for up to 655 people, the spokesman added.

The 260m2 Star Room on the 26th floor is the highest function room in Xiamen and its floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic city and sea views. Seven other function rooms, with en suite coffee break spaces, can cater to events of various sizes.

F&B outlets include the signature Ming Court Chinese restaurant, The Place for all-day dining, T2 teppanyaki restaurant, and L Bar.

There is also Chuan Spa, a fitness centre and an indoor heated swimming pool with natural light and underwater sound system.

NIJO Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Kyoto, has appointed 12 coordinators to market and promote events at the venue from April 2014.

Ovation Global DMC’s strategic partner in Japan, The J Team DMC, is the only specialist DMC on the list, which comprises local hotel, media, event, travel and catering companies.

James Kent, sales and marketing manager, The J Team DMC, told TTGmice e-Weekly: “Our bid included a wide range of ideas that covered teambuilding, reward and award, workshops and training, as well as parties. I see potential for smaller, tailored events at the castle.”

Kent said Nijo Castle was included in a couple of proposals for autumn, and it was possible for a piece of business to materialise by spring or summer.

The castle’s exterior space is available for gala dinners for up to several thousands of people depending on the size of the marquee, while an indoor area can be booked for meetings with about 200 guests.

The primary concern is damage to the property so no catering is allowed within the castle building and proper preparations in marquee set-up are needed.

According to Kent, the castle grounds hosted a tea ceremony and press conference for the 2008 Miss International. Nijo Castle also supported World Diabetes Day – 14th November – in the past by showing blue illuminations to generate awareness of the disease. In recent years it has been used as a wedding venue.

Kent said: “One of the reasons Nijo Castle is opening up to MICE events is to help raise funds for its current restoration projects. This is a fantastic opportunity for CSR-minded companies to make a valuable contribution to the preservation of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site by donating to the fund, and receiving recognition for it.”

SRI Lanka’s southern coastal town of Hambantota is being dressed up as a major MICE centre, second only to Colombo, with a 1,500-seat convention centre and other upcoming facilities set to draw corporate attention, officials said.

“Hambantota will change the landscape for the local MICE market,” said Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau (SLCB) general manager, Vipula Wanigasekara, adding that the promotion of the destination will be executed through the Colombo-based bureau.

Home town of Sri Lanka president Mahinda Rajapaksa, the region has seen a remarkable change in infrastructure over the past few years – the country’s second international airport opened in March 2013; the Magampura Ruhunu International Convention Centre last November; new hotels have opened and more are coming up.

Imran Hassan, a MICE specialist, said Hambantota, 250km from Colombo, has tremendous potential and will be a major attraction once the new extension of the southern expressway opens in March. The expressway, which runs from Colombo to Galle, is being extended by another 35km to Matara, some 90km away.

SLCB’s Wanigasekara said the bureau is in talks with PCO/PEOs to shift some events to Hambantota.

“I am talking to many organisations to showcase Hambantota for their annual events,” he said, adding that staging the Asian Youth Games in 2017 in Hambantota will enhance the city as a venue for international events.

“We are building an indoor stadium for the games which will then be converted to an exhibition centre,” he said.

Wanigasekara believes that the 375-key Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort and Spa will enhance the region as a MICE venue. The resort, built close to the convention centre, is due to open next year.

“People are always looking for new venues and this is definitely a good option for a meeting,” he said.

Sri Lanka will play host to some 50 MICE events this year, up from 40 in 2013.

THE management of Putrajaya International Convention Centre, a 25-30 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, is actively seeking more international corporate business and aims to turn the centre into a renowned venue for international congresses, conferences and meetings.

The centre’s CEO, Badlishah Ahmad, said key international target markets are Greater China, regional markets, Europe and the US, and to achieve global reach PICC will join the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau in its overseas trade show participation.

Badlishah said China is on PICC’s radar due to good air connectivity and friendly bilateral relations between the two governments, which will result in government-led events.

He added: “With Putrajaya being the administrative capital of the nation and PICC’s convenient location, the centre will be a natural choice for meetings, conferences and congresses.

“We can comfortably accommodate mega events of up to 8,000 delegates. We are the biggest conference and congress facility in the country and the only facility with a Head of State room for 180 pax.”

So far, the centre has secured one event from China this year. The International Chinese Film Festival, to be held from May 5 to 8, is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates from China, said Badlishah.

To capture more business from China, the centre will work closely with event specialists strong in the market.

Badlishah added: “We are not just a venue provider, we can also assist with arrangements within Putrajaya for tours, transportation, hotels and entrance fees. We act as a one-stop centre.”