Kyoto grant scheme embraced by event organisers seeking to enhance meetings with culture.
A grant scheme launched by the City of Kyoto to enhance business events through Japanese culture has proven so popular that the entire 2012/2013 budget has already been allocated.
The Culture Programme for Meeting Events Support System was launched last year as part of Kyoto’s policy to promote the city’s brand internationally and encourage meeting planners to incorporate traditional cultural activities into their events. The programme supports traditional arts being integrated into education workshops, gala dinners and reception parties, and the scheme has been embraced by organisations with activities such as maiko and geiko, taiko drum, Koto harp, tea ceremonies and kimono dressing performances becoming integral to many events.
Kyoto is widely recognised as a centre for heritage in Japan with its rich history and culture, including 17 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites. Many of Kyoto’s historic venues have hosted events funded by the scheme, as well as the city’s well known hotels, restaurants and conference centres.
One example of how the money was used was highlighted by Fuel Kyoto 2012 – the Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific Regional Conference – held at Kyoto’s International Conference Center (ICC), which included a traditional tea ceremony, calligraphy, origami, taiko drums, sushi making, manga drawing and bonsai among the activities offered to delegates as part of the creativity education programme.
James Kent, international marketing manager at the Kyoto Convention Bureau, has welcomed the news of the scheme’s success. He says: “Kyoto stands out from other business destinations because of its rich culture and heritage. The scheme was launched to offer support to organisations visiting the city for business events and help them integrate cultural activities, giving them the choice of which were best suited to the venue and content. We are impressed that so many organisations have taken the scheme on board. Not only does it enhance their offering to delegates but it also boosts business within the city and showcases Kyoto’s rich culture to visitors from around the world.”
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