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February 4, 2024 17:49 Japan Standard Time
TOKYO (Jiji News Agency) – The Japan Tourism Agency will strengthen measures in fiscal 2024, such as launching a new subsidy program, to help the country host more international conferences and business events.
The agency will shoulder some of the costs of installing communications networks at event venues and developing human resources with expertise in attracting MICE events, people familiar with the matter said.
The Japanese government adopted an action plan to promote inbound tourism in May last year, which includes the goal of Japan ranking fifth in the world in the number of international conferences it hosts by 2030, up from 12th in 2022.
Although tourist numbers to Japan have been recovering, the country hosted only 553 international conferences in 2022, down from 3,621 in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources said the agency will provide subsidies to local governments that manage event facilities and businesses to cover half of the cost of introducing communication networks such as wireless LANs at these venues, with the amount of assistance capped at 20 million yen per project. .
Sources revealed that the company will also support the introduction of digital signage boards to facilitate paperless meetings.
The agency will also provide a half-cost subsidy for local organizations responsible for campaigns to develop promotional strategies and attend courses on MICE trends, sources said. The maximum amount of assistance is 3 million yen.
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