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 330,000 total attendees 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