Two leading Japanese hotel operators have described MICE as a tremendous opportunity for the nation’s economy, noting that the industry is “only halfway there” ahead of the development of Japan’s first IRs.
Speaking at the “Entertainment MICE for 40 Million Foreign Tourists” event held at Happo-en in Minato, Tokyo, panelists Steve Dewire, the GM of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, and Makoto Motonakano, President of Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, described MICE as a signfiicant growth business.
“Hyatt is globally placing an emphasis on the MICE business and the Grand Hyatt Tokyo is pulling in 12% of revenue each year in this sector,” Dewire said.
“Japan is a beautiful and elegant country. It boasts reliability and safety. It also presents a great opportunity for the MICE industry. We’re still only halfway there.”
Motonakano added, “I would like to rely on our main weapon which is our event production that we have cultivated through traditional wedding business.
“From wedding business to MICE. we have a history of nine decades and we capitalize on the attraction of Japanese culture in our overseas promotions.”
Osaka’s IR Promotion Council recently declared MICE as the main feature of an Osaka IR.