Kutchan Tourism Association in Niseko has launched a new business events website to entice international business events groups to experience the destination during its less-busy summer season.
“We held discussions earlier this year and wanted to attract international business events visitors – particularly from Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong – during the green summer season. In order to sell MICE, we needed content, for example, showing products from local suppliers that agencies can easily book,” Keita Sekine, representative director of KK Niseko Management Service, and spokesperson for the Kutchan Tourism Association, told TTGmice.
These above-mentioned markets already have a strong leisure base, which Sekine opined is easier to build its corporate base upon.
“Singapore is also where many Asia-Pacific headquarters are located, so it is only natural to attend this event to grow our inbound MICE market,” he pointed out, adding that this is the first time the Association participated in the JNTO Singapore MICE Business Meetings 2024.
Noting that Niseko is already a very popular winter destination, Sekine emphasised that business events-related products – such as group activities and luxury resorts – were already in place, and that the city has “so much to offer in summer at a lower price”.
Moreover, Niseko has many “international staff”, and it is “very easy to find someone who speaks English” to help with the necessary event arrangements, he quipped.
When asked for an ideal group size for Niseko, Sekine shared that while the largest function space in Niseko could accommodate 500, ideally, groups of between “100 to 200 people” would be most comfortable.
Although there are currently no subventions from the Association or local government, Sekine told TTGmice that it is something on their to-do list once more enquiries start coming in.
“We’ve (fielded) a number of enquiries so far, but only started promoting to international MICE this year. I hope that we’ll be able to welcome some groups soon.”
Kutchan Tourism Association currently has around 300 hotels, restaurants, and activity providers as members.
