Two New Hotels Gain Entry Into Japan's Int'l Biz Arena

<B>Two New Hotels Gain Entry Into Japan's Int'l Biz Arena</B>

By Judy Jacobs

While new hotels in Japan's major cities are a rarity these days thanks to a decade-long recession and ample supply of rooms, two new properties--the Tokyo Dome and the Marriott Nagoya Associa--soon will begin receiving guests.

Tokyo Dome Hotel, expected to open June 1, has been named the flagship of Japan's Tokyo Dome Hotels, which includes properties in Sapporo, Niigata, Shizuoka, Osaka and Oita. The 1,066-room hotel is divided into three floor zones, each with its own theme. Floors nine to 22 celebrate sports, floors 26 through 38 music and floors 39 through 41 are the Excellency executive floors.

Its central Tokyo location, just 10 minutes by car or subway from the business and financial districts, makes it convenient for those doing business with the many Japanese and international companies that have offices there.

"We expect 25 percent of our business to be foreign guests during the initial year and 30 percent to 40 percent after that. Sixty percent of these will be business travelers, with 50 percent of those from North America," said Naoko Sadamori, the hotel's marketing communications manager.

Meanwhile, Nagoya, Japan's third most important business and financial center, will see the addition of a new Marriott hotel. Scheduled to open May 17, the 780-room Nagoya Marriott Associa forms a part of the $1.5 billion JR (Japan Railway) Central Towers, the fourth tallest building in Japan. The complex encompasses twin 52-story hotel and office towers located above the new Nagoya Station, a stop on the Shinkansen (bullet train) Line connecting Osaka and Tokyo and an approximate two-hour ride from each.

"We expect the hotel to be occupied by 55 percent business travelers," said Mark Cunningham, international sales and marketing manager. Thirty-five percent of the business is expected to be corporate meetings and conventions. "There are numerous international corporations in Nagoya, as well as in Osaka to our West and Tokyo to our East. Consequently, the new Marriott will be a central meeting place for regional corporations and associations," Cunningham added.

Marriott also plans to take advantage of Nagoya's increasing international access to attract more meetings. "There are 22 airlines with direct routes to Nagoya from 29 cities worldwide," said Cunningham, "so we're pursuing international group opportunities that are looking for a new site with direct air access, large guest rooms, meeting space with windows and a variety of culinary specialties."

The new Nagoya hotel is Marriott's first step in its further expansion in Japan. "Having the presence of Marriott in Japan is very important," said Akira Suzuki, the company's area director of marketing for Japan. "There is an urgent need for Marriott to open full management Marriott brand hotels in Tokyo and Osaka as the top priority country for new projects in terms of the development of Marriott International.