Hong Kong
Hong Kong back on track and with a new MICE show lined up for 2025
PAUL COLSTON MEETS KENNETH WONG , GENERAL MANAGER FOR MICE & CRUISE AT THE HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD AND HEARS ABOUT A RESURGENCY IN BUSINESS IN THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATION REGION
O ne of the first-timers at IBTM World this year in Barcelona was Hong Kong Tourism Board ( HKTB ) general manager for MICE & Cruise , Kenneth Wong .
CMW went to meet Mr Wong – also the HKTB regional director for Europe – at the show and he explained how Hong Kong had been super active since the special administrative region ( SAR ) re-opened its borders in February 2023 .
Events held included hosting over 200 MICE professionals in the territory and an IAPCO Council Meeting , Mr Wong noted . While , among the conventions and exhibitions won was the return of Cosmoprof to Hong Kong and the Tatler GenT Summit in November 2023 which gathered some 300 of Asia ’ s leaders in business and culture at M + museum .
Now , Mr Wong said , Hong Kong is keen to build further on its reputation as a super-connector for fostering Mainland and international connections . Indeed , 40 Mainland association leaders took part in a successful reconnaissance visit to Hong Kong 25-29 October , 2023 . That four-day study mission gave them the opportunity to visit the city ’ s two world-class convention centres and to meet Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors , association counterparts and local tourism leaders . One of those venues , AsiaWorld Expo , is soon to add seating for 20,000 more people , doubling the arena ’ s capacity . The VIP guests also had one-of-a-kind experiences , such as a horseracing party , an exclusive Tasting Theatre experience at the Wine & Dine Festival and a helicopter ride to see Hong Kong from the sky .
Overnight MICE visitation numbers in first three-quarters of the year , Mr Wong revealed , had achieved 70 % of per-pandemic level – 850,000 visitors . “ Over the past ten months we have won or retained 55 major events accounting for 350,000 overnight arrivals . These events will all happen in the coming few years ,” he said .
The Greater Bay Area and its cities is considered a growth engine for the economy in southern China , Mr Wong underlined . He was also on stage at Gran Via , Barcelona for the launch at IBTM of RX Global ’ s new Asia Pacific show in Hong Kong , slated for spring 2025 .
The announcement launches RX Global into the APAC MICE show market alongside Northstar , who also intend launching a new MICE show in Singapore in 2024 .
Vasyl Zhygalo , portfolio director , IBTM , commented : “ The Asia Pacific market is among the fastest growing in the world . The region ’ s MICE industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6 % to reach $ 441.1bn by 2025 . We are confident that now is the right time to showcase the wealth of opportunity in culturally diverse region .”
Zhygalo added : “ Hong Kong ’ s bid was notable for the city ’ s outstanding tourism
Right : Kenneth Wong
Left : Mr Wong signs the deal to bring the RX APAC trade show to Hong Kong in 2025
recovery pace and ever-growing momentum . We were impressed by the significant investment into the already world-class infrastructure , as well as support by local government , which makes placing business in the Greater Bay Area – and the wider Asia Pacific region , easy . We are absolutely delighted to partner with HKTB for what promises to be an exceptional event .”
Mr Wong described RX Global ’ s move as “ a strong vote of confidence reinforcing the city ’ s status as the world ’ s meeting place ”.
The new show has the backing and support of HKTB , Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong , Hong Kong Hotels Association , Hong Kong Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions , and venue AsiaWorld-Expo .
Mr Wong also hailed Hong Kong ’ s state-of-the-art cross-boundary transport infrastructure including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the High-Speed Rail ( HSR ) that connects to 73 Mainland stations .
Hong Kong International Airport ( HKIA ), he added , was transforming from a city airport into an Airport City , including the development of SKYCITY and the Three-runway System ( 3RS ). n
ISSUE 128 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 41