Event Name

VME Retail Safari and the Beauty of Japan

Organizer

teamtravel international GmbH (Germany)

Rationale

An incentive tour planned to reward and provide training opportunities for the top performing salespersons at a furniture company in Germany. Throughout the 10 day trip, the 18 participants visited diverse locations such as Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Okinawa. The itinerary skillfully combined training sessions and leisure, along with an abundance of surprise tailored content presented throughout the course. The following experiences were particularly recognized by the judges.

• ・Inspection and training program to learn about Japanese retail culture and hospitality.
• ・Team-building through a sushi-making experience.
• ・Tours to experience nightlife in Tokyo and Okinawa.
• ・Creating a sense of exclusivity by hosting a meal at an off-the radar location.

Itinerary

On the rickshaw tour at Arashiyama, Kyoto

*The reproduction and/or distribution of pictures in this document is not allowed

Event Name

2019 Incentive Trip to Okinawa, Japan

Organizer

H.I.S International Travel Pte Ltd.（Singapore）

Rationale

An incentive tour aimed at rewarding and fostering camaraderie among top salespersons from a company across their offices in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The 4-day program had 121 participants, and was highly praised for delivering the opportunity to immerse in Okinawan culture through performances, team-building activities and making use of a unique venue.

• ・Shisa and Eisa drum performances allowed participants to interact with local traditions from Okinawa
• ・A Hare (Dragon boat) tournament encouraged team cooperation.
• ・Inclusion of the Japanese radio calisthenics known as rajio taiso as a warm-up for the race, which facilitated familiarity with Japanese culture
• ・Hosting the gala dinner at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, a venue that gave the event a unique ambiance.

Itinerary

The Best Creative Awardee hosted a gala dinner at one of Okinawa's most unique venues.

*The photo above is for reference purposes, provided by the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Aquarium usage regulations have been altered from the time of the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

*The reproduction and/or distribution of pictures in this document is not allowed

Event Name

Japan Incentive Tour

Organizer

JTB Germany GmbH (Germany)

Rationale

An incentive to reward the top performers of a Japanese-brand tool manufacturer in Hungary. The 50 participants travelled for 8 days through the major cities of Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Hiroshima, as well as some lesser-known attractive destinations. The tour catered to the participants' deep interest in food, and provided activities to experience both traditional and modern Japanese culture.
The following highlights were praised by the jury.

• ・The making of original wear for the group's incentive tour to Japan.
• ・Including a technical visit to their company's main factory.
• ・Visiting Toyota city to see Shikizakura cherry blossoms that reach their peak in Autumn, a hidden gem tourist attraction that surprised and filled participants with a special feeling.
• ・Ingenious arrangements for tailor-made lunches and desserts, which included a wide variety of tastes, were catered for different dietary restrictions and contributed to local businesses in each visited region.

Itinerary

As an outstanding example of an incentive tour held concurrently with a major sporting event, the following entry has been selected for a Special Recognition Award.

Event Name

HONDA Swiss Dealer Contest - Back to the Origins
(11 days, 59 people)

Organizer

JTB Europe Ltd., Corporate Events and Travel (France)

Rationale

A tour planned to reward the best performing employees. Under the concept "Back to the Origins", the 59 participants visited Kyoto, Kumamoto, Tokyo and Kinugawa over 11 days and 9 nights. Highlights of the program include technical visits, sampling the nightlife, cultural experiences and gourmet specialties, sewn together by excellent planning. This travel itinerary showcases the diverse options that Japan has to offer as a destination.

Itinerary

Event Name

Consulting company from Guangzhou (6 days, 25 people)

Organizer

CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICE GUANGDONG CO.,LTD

Rationale

A study tour for employees at a consulting company. The 25 participants visited Tokyo, Hakone, Yaizu, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka during 6 days and 5 nights To find clues on how to withstand the passage of time, the travel included visits to centenarian companies in different fields (such as Seiko, Asahi Beer, Panasonic). It was also arranged for a specialist to give a lecture on emerging Japanese franchises' corporate philosophies, followed by a field-trip. To top it off, the itinerary also included time for sightseeing. This trip highlighted the assets of different Japanese industries, and with the concept of "centenarian companies" created a learning journey that could not have taken place elsewhere.

Itinerary

Event Name

Good Time In Akita（6 days, 27 people）

Organizer

Japan View (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Rationale

A study tour for a public organization. The 27 participants spent 6 days and 4 nights in Akita and Tokyo. The itinerary incorporates regional content such as exchange with local residents and study of agricultural practices in Akita through farm stays. The destination chosen was unknown by participants before their travel, however the exchange with the local community fostered bonds of friendship, and participants expressed willingness to travel to this area again in the future. This itinerary is a good example that will be helpful for other local cities and regions throughout Japan.

Itinerary

For contributing to areas still recovering from the damage of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, by visiting Fukushima:

For contributing to the region of Hokkaido by not cancelling their incentive trips after the 2018 Hokkaido East Iburi Earthquake:

Event Name

Dancing Snow in Tohoku and Hakodate
(5 days, 495 people)

Organizer

Comfort Travel Service Co., Ltd.(Colatour)(Taiwan)

Rationale

This tour is aimed at high sales achievers in an automaking company. The tour traverses over the Tohoku and Hakodate regions in winter with a unique program that starts in Sendai and proceeds via Zao and Aomori until entry into Hakodate by bullet train. The itinerary combines the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions, enabling the full enjoyment of the charms of winter such as Tsugaru Railway Stove Trains, snowy landscapes, and inns providing every conceivable luxury where guests can enjoy the traditional culture of Aomori, and is of great economic benefit to the region. The program enables participants to enjoy the virtues of Tohoku and Hokkaido to their heart's content. It gives recognition to their achievements made throughout the year and is also projected to improve motivation. The particularly enticing contents of this tour provides incentive to employees and is expected to be linked to increased productivity in the following fiscal year.

Itinerary

Event Name

Tungaloy India Pvt. Ltd.
(8 days, 53 people)

Organizer

Kulin Kumar Holidays Pvt. Ltd. (India)

Rationale

This tour is for the employees of a metal parts manufacturer. It includes an educational tour to study the role of the company's products in Panasonic Living Showroom centered on a visit to the headquarters in Iwaki City. The inspiration obtained by visiting Japanese tourist spots that are new to the Indian market and rich in history and natural beauty like Kamakura, Ashikaga, Karuizawa, and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is expected to create new business. This is a novel program from India, where great demand is projected to increase in the Japan incentive market in the future.

Itinerary

Event Name

TOP ACHIEVERS OKINAWA TOUR 2017
(10 days, 67 people)

Organizer

JTB Australia Pty Ltd (Australia)

Rationale

This tour aimed at high achievers and their families in an automaking company. It is a 5-night stay at a high-class resort in Okinawa. On top of including time at beach resorts, the tour deepens understanding of local history and culture through visits to places such as the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters and Shuri Castle. It also includes a party held at a unique venue in Tokyo and a barbecue dinner on the beach in Okinawa, enabling enjoyment of the charms of both regions. The program has been designed to appeal to both adults and children, and is of great economic benefit to the region. This is a good example of the kind of "city + resort" incentive travel that can entice people to Japan in the future.

Itinerary

Event Name

LEXUS China 匠心之旅 Series
(4 series, Total: 86 pax/ 5～8days)

Organizer

交通公社新紀元国際旅行社有限公司
JTB New Century International Tours Co., LTD (China)

Rationale

This artisan culture themed incentive introduced Lexus dealers to Japan's manufacturing industry and traditional crafts. In addition to cultural experiences, the program also contributed to the promotion of local industry. The itinerary perfectly illustrates Japan's MICE Vision: "Japan's Imagination and Intelligence Propel Business into the future."

1st (19 pax)

2nd (19 pax)

3rd (30 pax)

4th (18 pax)

Event Name

Global Leading Luxury Skincare Brand
-Global Conference 2017-
(4 days/ 360 pax)

Organizer

EVO COMMUNICATIONS (Singapore)

Rationale

This incentive program creatively connected a traditional "koji making" experience and team building program with the roots of the client company products. The attention to detail was ubiquitous throughout all aspects of the program, which also included awards and training sessions, and the atmosphere of hospitality was palpable.
The contemporary use of social media to share information made this program an influencer, promoting Japan as an incentive destination.

Itinerary (Excerpt)

Event Name

新光生命日本靜岡 Summit
(5days/ 120pax)

Organizer

FAN CHIA TRAVEL SERVICE (Taiwan)

Rationale

This 5 day incentive program took place exclusively in Shizuoka Prefecture. The program successfully delivered high level service, cultural experiences and party surprises expected of an incentive. The organizer also utilized the support programs offered by the Shizuoka government to the fullest and the coordination between the planners and the local suppliers had a huge impact on the local economy and increased its appeal for inbound visitors.

Itinerary (Excerpt)

Event Name

幸福生根 北國續語 104 年度高極峰會議 ("The Root of Happiness - Story of the North Country: 2015 Summit")

Winner

Lion Travel Co., Ltd. (Taiwan)

Travel Program Details

A large-scale incentive travel program from a life insurance company. A total of 6,500 participants traveled across all of Hokkaido for six nights and seven days. Itinerary included sightseeing in various parts of Hokkaido, celebrity talks and dinner parties, and opportunities to cheer on professional Taiwanese baseball players.

Reasons for selection

• This extremely large-scale (6,500 participants) incentive travel program had a well thought-out itinerary that allowed participants to travel all over Hokkaido.
• It featured special events unique to incentive travel which could not normally be organized for regular travel, such as talks from celebrities and cheering on Taiwanese baseball players at a baseball game.
• It was conducted in coordination with the Sapporo International Communication Plaza Foundation and travel was thus tailored to the characteristics of the region.
• It received good local media exposure and raised the profile of incentive travel.

detail

Event Name

Chaumet - Hurry up for sales

Winner

teamtravel premium GmbH (Germany)

Travel Program Details

Three night, four day incentive travel program for 55 people from an upscale jewelry manufacturer.
The itinerary included presentations from company executives, talks from guest speakers, visits to the company's stores in Japan, and traditional Japanese-style cuisine provided on yakatabune boats and at first-class Japanese restaurants.
In addition, the program took participants on a "Tokyo City Rally," where participants were split into small groups to participate in a range of experiences around the city using iPads as their guide.

Reasons for selection

• The Tokyo City Rally program making use of the iPad as an information device was a novel approach to teambuilding. It has high potential for deployment in new programs in other cities as well.
• It also earned high marks for the way it incorporated communication with community members through the city rally program.

detail

Event Name

Millennium Achievers Tour

Winner

JTB Australia Pty Ltd (Australia)

Travel Program Details

Seven night, eight day incentive travel program for 25 people from a Japanese automaker's Australian subsidiary. After a day of sightseeing and a dinner party in Tokyo, participants took part in sightseeing and a range of experiences in Okayama, Kagawa, Tokushima, and Kobe.

Reasons for selection

• While only a small number of people participated, they went on a broad tour centered on Western Japan, including Tokyo, Okayama, Kagawa, Tokushima, and Kobe, and took part in experiences at each city such as the Awa Odori Festival. The program was thus conducted in line with the characteristics of each region and spread awareness of local cultures while contributing to regional revitalization.
• Participants travelled long distances but spent ample amounts of time sightseeing in each city, with an itinerary designed to tour each location efficiently.

detail