JAPAN’S national tourism chiefs have signed a deal with the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers to highlight the attractions of the country for PCOs and their clients.
The conference-destination partnership is the first of its type entered into by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) and the second in Asia agreed by Iapco, which also has an agreement for Hong Kong.
For the next 18 months, JNTO will participate in Iapco’s network and engage with prominent PCOs to provide information about Japan’s potential as a destination for international conferences with diverse options, facilities, and services across convention cities.
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A JNTO spokesman said a target has been set of making Japan the No.1 destination in Asia for international conferences by 2030. “We are confident that this new partnership with Iapco will spark further collaboration and bring JNTO closer to achieving its goal,” it said in a statement issued after the August 1 signing.
Iapco has about 140 PCO members and Japan is the seventh destination to form a partnership agreement with the association following Hamburg, Melbourne, Toronto, Dubai, Hong Kong and Rwanda.
Satoshi Seino, president of JNTO, said: “Japan can host truly original international conferences in every region of our country. This is an opportunity to provide Iapco members with a deeper understanding of Japan’s potential.
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“By using Iapco’s network to raise Japan’s profile among congress organisers worldwide, we aim to bring even more international conferences to Japan,” Seino said.
Martin Boyle, Iapco CEO, said: “Iapco and JNTO have been collaborating for some time now through the development and delivery of IAPCO EDGE Seminars and regular advisory board meetings. This new partnership between our organisations is a testament to the strength of conviction and commitment we both share for the further advancement of the meetings sector and of the skillset of meeting professionals in Japan.
“I am confident that this will strengthen the relationship between JNTO partners and Iapco members and ultimately lead to more business opportunities and opportunities to continue our collaboration well into the future.”
