The Japan Times PUBDATE: 10/13/20010 PAGE: 20 C M Y K OUTPUT TIME: 18:41:42

10/13/1910 / / PT SUP/PG 20/ED 1

20 THE JAPAN TIMES WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2010 (3)

MICE hotel special

An array of exquisite choices awaits guests

Just a few minutes’ walk fromRoppongi Station sits Grand HyattTokyo at Roppongi Hills, one ofJapan’s largest private urban

cultural centers.While retaining the air of a boutique

hotel, Grand Hyatt Tokyo is also a verysophisticated conference venue, offeringan experience in authentic hospitality.The hotel has 13 multipurpose rooms anda 2,800-sq.-meter conference and meetingspace with advanced technology and adedicated team of planning specialists.

Determined to be the name forexcellent service, its team of ConventionService executives function as the mainhotel liaison and work closely with everymeeting organizer to ensure each event’ssuccess. The team is further supported bya Meeting Butler, who promptly respondsto any MICE request.

The meeting rooms are installed withthe latest high-tech equipment such as the3-Chip DLPTM Projector, wireless LANand high-speed Internet connections.Videoconferencing services are alsooffered. All of the above is supported bythe hotel’s team of fully trained ITprofessionals.

There are 389 guest rooms and suitesdecorated using a selection of naturalwoods and fabrics, creating a soothingresidential ambience. The spacious

rooms allow for baths with both normalshower heads and rain shower headsalong with deep bathtubs, so guests canunwind and relax in style.

Wining and dining is definitely anindispensable pastime for any MICEevent. Grand Hyatt Tokyo satiates anygastronome or connoisseur with its 10restaurants and bars serving Italian,French, Japanese or Chinese cuisine.From a casual buffet to a formal dinner,quality dining occasions can be arrangedthat represent culinary authenticity,originality and service.

On the lobby floor is Fiorentina, theplace for authentic Italian cuisine. ItsPastry Boutique features internationalaward-winning cakes, pastries, sweetsand chocolates by the hotel’s famedpatissiers. The French Kitchen, openall-day, has a bar and open kitchen andserves classic bistro dishes that can beenjoyed at its outside terrace, weatherpermitting. A French Kitchen special isthe Chef’s Table, where a personal chefcooks for guests in a private roomequipped with a kitchen.

Japanese cuisine Shunbou brings outthe true flavors of market-freshingredients, while Roku Roku sushi barhas become an irresistible stopover forsushi lovers. At The Oak Door, the grilleddishes are skillfully paired with fine New

World wines from its wine cellar. AtChinaroom, Cantonese dishes and otherregional favorites can be savored.Meanwhile, the teppanyaki restaurantKeyakizaka features a vast array of freshseasonal ingredients prepared in front ofyour eyes. Finally, Maduro, theluxuriously designed bar in a discreetlocation, offers nightly liveentertainment.

On the fifth floor and available to hotelguests and private members, the NagomiSpa and Fitness is a peaceful,1,300-sq.-meter facility that includeseight private spa treatment rooms forhealth and relaxation. Overlooking a20-meter by 7-meter red graniteswimming pool and an illuminatedwhirlpool bath, the gym offers a full rangeof Technogym training machines,together with fitness professionals whoassist with training sessions.

Round-the-clock services cater to jet-setters

In the heart of Tokyo is the vibrant andexciting business district andshopping haven of Shinjuku. HiltonTokyo, an established operation with

over 45 years’ history, is on the west sideof Shinjuku Station.

With overseas guests making up aconstant 70 percent of the guestcomposition for many years, it was anobvious decision for the hotel toconcentrate its efforts more oninternational MICE guests. Packages thisyear consist of a combination of specialdiscounts for incentive groups andmeetings.

‘‘To celebrate the World Cup year,we’ve named our three top offersinternally as the Hilton Tokyo Hat Trick,’’said General Manager Naoki Oto. ‘‘One isadvertised as Advanced Purchase GroupRates, a special generous discount planoffered only at Hilton Tokyo. This startsfrom ¥10,000 for a single room up to¥21,000 for a triple room.

‘‘Another is an all-Hilton offer of aDiscounted Day Delegate Rate that coversthe room hire, basic sound and lighting,wired microphone, podium, LCD,

projector and screen, signage, all-day teaor coffee, buffet lunch, mints and pens andpaper on tables for ¥15,000 per person.

‘‘The third offer is also available at allHilton Hotels and is called Book Now &Save. It gives savings options of any of thefollowing six depending on the totalaccommodation count: one in 35 roomnights complimentary, 25 percentallowable attrition exemptingcancellation fees, double Hilton HHonorsBase points for attendees, complimentarymeals for up to four staff members, 2percent rebate on room revenue, and 500Hilton HHonors points per paid grouproom night.’’ The offer is subject toavailability.

Other notable, special guest attractionsone can look forward to at Hilton Tokyoincludes its constant availability ofseveral multilingual staff fluent inEnglish, French, German, Korean orChinese. Inquiries from around the worldare also quickly responded to regardlessof location, thanks to the fine Hiltonnetwork spanning the globe.

‘‘That’s the invisible part, but we haveinvested and continue to spend huge

amounts of money to refine and update oursystems, hardware and software,’’ Otosaid.

Another highlight of this hotel is its 24/7mind-set. ‘‘By listening to the voices of ourjet set guests that are continuously on themove around the globe, we found itabsolutely necessary to have our dining,working and relaxation operations openround-the-clock. A warm meal, a workoutat the gym or even working at erratichours can help a guest get over jet lagquickly,’’ Oto said. ‘‘Such an offer ofservice also corresponds to the characterof the exciting Shinjuku area, whereeverything is always on the move 24 hoursa day, seven days a week.’’

Special plans help visitors experience Japan

The shape of this seaside hotelresembles a yacht’s sail and hasbecome an iconic image of theMinato Mirai skyline in

Yokohama. InterContinental YokohamaGrand aims to provide a uniqueexperience of the locality, which, inaccordance with the hotel brand’s overallglobal concept, makes a MICE stay at thishotel as iconic as the architecture.

InterContinental Meetings, a globalstrategic MICE program of theInterContinental Hotels & Resortslaunched on a pilot basis from April,included InterContinental YokohamaGrand as one of the 10 hotels selected inprominent locations such as Hong Kong,Paris and London to prove the efficacy ofthe program. InterContinental Meetings isa fusion of the InterContinental brand withthe needs of those sponsoring meetingsand events.

There are three major features to theprogram: experience-providing meetingplans rich in regional uniqueness andoriginality; Internet-based, progressive,

convenient tools for seamless, speedy andefficient provision and confirmation ofinformation vital for any MICE operation;and exclusive, attentive service of thespecial InterContinental Meetings eventteam.

‘‘Above all, the first feature highlightsand provides the most exciting, rich localexperience to the MICE delegates andtheir partners staying at anyInterContinental,’’ said Masumi Inoue,public relations manager at the hotel. ‘‘Inour case, we have prepared 10 plans underthe title of Insider Collection for our MICEguests to enjoy some of the authenticexperiences of Yokohama.’’

Insider Collection is further brokendown into five themes for execution. Thefirst approach focuses on location andsuggests an exhilarating outdoor partyabove the sea at the Osanbashi Pier or atranquil moment to appreciate Japaneseaesthetics at the Sankeien Garden. Thesecond suggests learning about Japanesecustoms and culture through akimono-wearing session or a lecture on

Japanese mannerism for guests’entertainment. The third is moreaction-oriented: Participants can take ahand in seaweed planting at the seasideNojima Park or attempt to make their owntraditional Japanese toy under theguidance of a skilled craftsman. Thefourth becomes more interactive,beckoning all to join in a big treasure huntin Chinatown or enter a sushi-makingcontest. Finally, the fifth approach invitespeople to have a break and relax over acup of Chinese tea and Chinese sweets, orfreshly whisked Japanese green teatogether with Japanese confectionaries.

Making the most of any meetingMichiru MekataCONTRIBUTING WRITER

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MICE, a tourism business genre,is an acronym that stands forMeetings, Incentives,Conferences and Exhibitions.

Many countries, businesses and peoplehave been focusing on MICE to bringeconomic growth. Each segment of MICEis equally important. Even a smallcorporate meeting with a handful ofparticipants could become an importantMICE if it involves using meeting rooms,dining and drinking facilities andaccommodations.

As for the term’s origin, it started to beused from around 1994 in Australia, wheremany large-scale internationalconferences and events were being held.MICE has served as an important catalystfor driving an economy forward.

Turning to Japan, major conventionsand exhibitions have also been actively

held. In the area of conventions,large-scale academic meetings andinternational conferences have beenorganized under the support of thegovernment at such main cities as Tokyo,Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. As thecountry’s industries grew rapidly afterWorld War II, mega-events wereorganized, such as the annual TokyoMotor Show, recently being held at theMakuhari Messe exhibition center inChiba Prefecture.

Until now, however, both the countryand its citizens had been unfamiliar withthe concept of combining the fourelements of MICE on a horizontal,integrated level. Many business andpublic relations opportunities availablethrough MICE have so far beenoverlooked.

Thus, the government’s Japan TourismAgency has deemed 2010 the ‘‘Japan MICEYear’’ to review such conditions and toimprove the situation. Now, MICE is

gaining attention at every level.Expectations are especially mountingtoward the areas of meetings andincentives.

Many global businesses are enhancingtheir ability to design, operate andmanage their original MICE without thehelp of the government or professionalMICE service companies. MICE isexpected to grow steadily as a coreelement in any marketing activity.

Whether in Japan or in the world, MICEwill continue to be an effective means forgrasping customers’ expectations,satisfying their needs and achievingbusiness growth — ultimatelycontributing to the national and globaleconomies.

Introduced in this section are some ofthe leading hotels in Japan proposingattractive services that highlight theirrespective, distinctive locality, looking tomake sure a MICE stay in each locationbecomes more enjoyable and memorable.

Combining heritage with nature’s majesty

Perched atop a sacred mountain ofthe Ainu people, the WindsorHotel Toya becameworld-famous for hosting the G-8

Hokkaido Toyako Summit in 2008.‘‘This is a resort hotel for a long-term

stay to enjoy the vast nature, scenic beautyand the wildlife of Hokkaido,’’ said MichikoHonda, director of marketing at the hotel.

By early October, autumn leaves turngold, orange and red, and squirrels darthere and there, stocking their preciousacorns ready for their long winter sleep.In November, Jack Frost creeps quietlyover, bringing a fine sprinkling of snow.Eventually, the entire landscapebecomes buried in a thick blanket ofpowder snow ideal for skiing and a lovelymoment by the fireplace.

Come spring and summer, a widevariety of Windsor activities, includingtennis, bicycling, horse riding, golf,rafting, canoeing and nature trekking,can be enjoyed in the dynamic scenery ofpine forests, blue sea, crystal-clear river

and the volcanic lake that is sometimesaccentuated by the mystic gush of mist.

To make the stay all the moreenjoyable, the Windsor Hotel Toya alsohas a fine selection of excellentrestaurants, including the Michelinthree-star Michel Bras Toya JaponFrench restaurant and the three-starJapanese restaurant Arashiyama Kitcho.Other fine tastes served at its refinedeateries include soba, sushi,‘‘teppanyaki’’ and pizza.

Another delightful service of this hotelis its spa, which gives original, exclusivetreatments using natural herbs followinga detailed, careful consultation, as well asthe natural hot-spring bath offering apanoramic view of the surroundingnatural scenery.

The efforts of the hotel to become a fineresort and spa hotel do not end here.

‘‘Paying due respect and gratitude tothe Ainu people’s local heritage, we havedefined the one week before and after theautumnal equinox as Platinum Week, for

introducing the Ainu culture to our hotelguests,’’ Honda said. ‘‘Well aware of thesocial role and responsibility our hotelbears, we also have started holding aunique joint session for the Ainu people tohave a cultural exchange with NativeAmericans. The spiritual exchangeexceeding verbal communication is trulytouching and inspiring. Through suchactivities, we hope we can contribute tothe development of the local communityand to Hokkaido.’’

The Windsor Hotel Toya commands apanoramic view of Lake Toya.

The sail-shaped hotel is an icon ofYokohama’s skyline.

(Publicity)

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Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s conference roomhas the latest high-tech equipment.

Hilton Tokyo’s new ballroom ‘‘Kiku’’opened last year.