In December, 2013, Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO), a governmental body under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism released the statistics based on the number of international conventions held in different cities in Japan.  This official data for 2012 ranked Fukuoka City as second with a total of 252 meetings, which ensured that Fukuoka City has become the 2^nd most popular destination for international conventions in Japan for the past 4 consecutive years.

In addition, the number of participants of international conventions held in the City increased by 80,000 from the previous year, amounting to the largest number of 171,049 in total.  

Fukuoka City boasts good accessibility to major cities both at home and abroad.  In particular, Fukuoka International Airport is reachable only within 5 minutes from Hakata Station.  This superb accessibility which guarantees stress-free operation of MICE events is one of the strengths of Fukuoka City.  Concentration of universities or highly specialized intellectuals is also attributable to the increasing trends in the number of MICE events within the City.

2012 was a significant year for Fukuoka City to boost its presence as an international MICE City.   Large scale conventions such as “SIU 2012:Societe Internationale d’Ulorogy (3,200 delegates),” “Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival (2,500 delegates),” and “The 51st OSEAL Forum: Orient and SouthEast Asian Lions Forum (20,000 delegates)” were successfully held, drawing a great many delegates to the City.

Fukuoka City aims to reinforce its global competitiveness to further attract conventions by consolidated efforts in services as well as in infrastructure.

　　　　　　　　　(Photo Above: “SIU Night” held at Kawabata Shopping Arcade in October, 2012)

(Photo Below:Fukuoka International Congress Center)