Successful Meetings - December 2008 - (Page 51)

Pacific rim Japan An attractive mingling of value and inspiration Japan’s historic sites, natural beauty, unique regions, gourmet cuisine, and shopping inspire planners and meeting-goers, while the layout of the country (which stretches from as far north as Montreal to as far south as Cancun) enables Japan to offer the most varied options for meeting and incentive sites in Asia. All things considered, the country’s value and affordability are significant draws for planners. Throughout each city in Japan lies a wide range of accommodations, many priced lower than that of many large European cities and some other countries in Asia. Luxury hotels have world-class facilities and amenities from sleeping rooms to function spaces, and guests staying at ryokan (Japanese-style inns) will find picturesque surroundings with a unique cultural aesthetic, as well as expansive menus and impeccable service. Awe-inspiring history and cutting-edge sophistication lend themselves to the tone of Japan’s ADVERTISEMENT meeting locations. Unique meeting sites flow freely, from a cocktail party at a World Heritage temple to martial arts classes at a Shinto shrine or a reception at a modern venue designed by a noted architect. Theme parks, high-tech sports facilities, and tropical island resorts are prime places for events. Although a society that holds hospitality to a high standard, visitors to Japan will also find that there is no tipping for any service, including meals and taxis. And service charges and consumption taxes are attractively low. English is commonly spoken in major cities. Tourism and meeting professionals are bilingual, as is a significant portion of major signage. Another valuable aspect of the meeting experience in Japan is accessibility. About 300 weekly direct flights touch down from 12 cities in the United States. For more information Japan National Tourist Organization Miki Motegi-Hall, Convention Manager (212) 757-5641, ext. 21; www.japantravelinfo.com http://www.japantravelinfo.com http://www.japantravelinfo.com http://www.japantravelinfo.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - December 2008

Successful Meetings - December 2008
Contents
Editor's Note
Corporate Events
On the Record
Calendar
Research
Planner Spotlight
Personal Success
Technology Talk
Food & Beverage
Professional Development
Quick Tip
Tools of the Trade
On Site: Retire Those Tired Power-Point Slides
On Site: 12 Tips for Thriving on a South African Safari
Deep Impact
Recession-Friendly Speakers
Showing Off
Hawaii Insert
Places & Spaces
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Fort Worth
South Florida
Beijing
Gurus

Successful Meetings - December 2008