Promotion of Kerala as MICE Destination in Japan | Newsbytes - October 2015 Issue

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

ISSUE: 266

OCTOBER 2015

Promotion of Kerala as MICE Destination

In its efforts to grab a major share of the global multi-billion-dollar MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism industry, Kerala will promote the State as a destination for conferences and meetings of Japanese corporate leaders in the future.

Kerala Tourism has sought the support of the Japanese government in turning Kerala into a MICE destination for chief executive officers (CEOs) of prominent companies in Japan and those based in India.

Mr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, met Mr. Takeshi Yagi, Ambassador to India, Japan, in New Delhi to seek his cooperation. Praising Kerala's natural beauty, Mr. Yagi, the Japanese Ambassador also offered his embassy's support in promoting Ayurveda in Japan.

"The honourable Ambassador of Japan has assured his full support towards Kerala government's efforts to transform the State as a MICE destination for the business heads from his country," said Mr. Rao.

"With its status as a peaceful destination, Kerala is an ideal p??lace for brainstorming sessions for Japanese corporate leaders. We will also organize a meeting in Tokyo of Japanese CEOs based in their country after analyzing the outcome of the meeting in New Delhi. Because of the high earnings in global MICE tourism, it is inevitable that we enter the sector in a big way," Mr. Rao added.

The Visa-on-Arrival facility introduced by the Government of India to the citizens of Japan has given a boost to their arrivals in Kerala. The number of Keralites visiting Japan has also increased in the recent past.