Japan is in a prime position capture more of India’s expanding business events market, provided the country is strategic and accommodating in its approach.
Panellists at the inaugural Japan MICE Expo, held in Osaka in October, said India’s population of 1.5 billion is increasingly interested in holding MICE events overseas, including in Japan.
“Corporates are using incentive travel as a big tool for doing business, and 70 per cent of India’s business events market is incentive travel, said Nitin Sachdeva, CEO of New Delhi, India-based Venture Marketing, which specialises in travel, tourism, hospitality and events.
Of particular interest to companies is using incentives to attract and retain talent or to facilitate staff interactions among teams working remotely, Sachdeva added, noting that many corporates are holding overseas incentives as frequently as once per quarter.
Alongside these changes in market needs. “India’s outbound market is looking for new destinations,” he explained. “We are seeing a change in mindset (where) people want to travel and to experience.”
Sachdeva and his peers in the industry are seeing growing interest in Japan thanks to its unique value, which includes a rich culture, modern infrastructure, clean environment and peaceful society. The weak yen and huge popularity of Japan on Instagram are additional attractive factors, he added.
Japan’s success in attracting Indian incentives, though, will depend on whether the stakeholders can adopt a strategy, be consistent in promotion and meet buyers’ needs.
“We expect ease of doing business, favourable flight timings, more flight loads from India and Indian food,” he said. Furthermore, if Japan-based representatives can speak India’s local languages, incentive participants can enjoy a “seamless experience”.
