Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS): Kerala Tourism on Friday expressed its desire to play host to the meetings and conferences of Japanese companies and got a positive response from Japanese Ambassador to India Takeshi Yagi.

Kerala's Tourism Secretary G.Kamala Vardhana Rao met Yagi in New Delhi to seek the support of the Japanese government in turning Kerala into a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) destination for CEOs of prominent companies in Japan and those based in India.

The meeting came ahead of Kerala Tourism road show in Tokyo is slated for October 19.

"The honourable ambassador of Japan has assured his full support towards Kerala government's efforts to transform the state as a MICE destination for the business heads from his country," said Rao, adding the state would soon host a meeting of top executives of Japanese companies based in India to kick-start the process.

"We will also organise a meeting in Tokyo of Japanese CEOs," he said.

Japanese companies regularly send their senior executives abroad for meetings and conferences.

Yagi also suggested a meeting of the representatives of the Indo-Japanese Chamber of Commerce to explore the possibility of inviting investment in hospitality and tourism sector in the state.

The tourist visa on arrival facility introduced by India for Japanese citizens has given a boost on the number of arrivals to Kerala, while the number of Keralites visiting Japan has also increased in the recent past.

Yagi also offered his embassy's support in promoting ayurveda in Japan.

" He pointed to the tremendous opportunity for promoting ayurveda, which is a time tested traditional medicinal system, among the people of Japan," added Rao.