Osaka prefecture and Osaka city held the “Know, Understand, Think Integrated Resort (IR) Seminar” on 14 March as part of their venture to attract an IR to Yumeshima. Around 2,000 people took part.
It is the ninth seminar of its kind with the IR Promotion Bureau first launching the initiative to minimize concerns and relay the positives of IRs based on the “Osaka IR Basic Plan”. Further, they created pamphlets specific to certain demographics, such as women and families, to promote understanding, explain what IRs can achieve in an easy-to-understand format and promote understanding.
In addition, Hidehiko Tojo, Osaka Tourism’s MICE expert, gave a lecture titled “The MICE Industry as a tool for economic invigoration.”
It was raised that Osaka is hosting the G20, Rugby World Cup and the Tourism Expo in 2019, and that the city’s MICE industry schedule is filled up leading to the Osaka/Kansai Expo in 2025. It was emphasized that “MICE is a growing industry with much potential. Osaka needs to step up its game so that business is not taken by rival cities in Asia.”
The next seminar is scheduled for May.