Hong Kong is open for business and wants to let the MICE world know.
To spread the word, top Hong Kong MICE leaders launched a “Hello Hong Kong” campaign to alert travelers and meeting organizers that all border control requirements involving quarantine, vaccination and pre-departure PCR testing have been lifted for international visitors. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the destination is set to welcome more than 100 international MICE events in 2023, with many visiting for the first time.
“We are excited to welcome back more business events with warm hospitality, brand-new infrastructure and experiences,” said Kenneth Wong, general manager, MICE & Cruise for HKTB, in a statement announcing the campaign. “Together with MICE industry leaders, we are confident that we will achieve greater success with event organizers and make Hong Kong the world’s meeting place for business events.”
Giveaways to Entice the MICE Market
To welcome convention and exhibition visitors, the HKTB curated a series of “Hong Kong Goodies” from more than 16,000 outlets across the city. The goodies include a commemorative “Hello Hong Kong” Octopus smart e-payment card, welcome drinks, a ticket to M+ (Asia’s first museum of contemporary visual culture) or one-time use of an airport lounge.
To lure leisure travelers, starting in March, Airport Authority Hong Kong is giving away 100,000 free air tickets from Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express and Hong Kong Airlines, as well as city-wide Hong Kong Goodies vouchers for items such as a complimentary welcome drink at more than 1,500 participating hotels, bars and restaurants. Other Hong Kong Goodie options include HK$100 (approximately $12.75US) off at one of more than 140 selected restaurants, shops or attractions or a gift worth more than HK$100 at one of many attractions and museums.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board said approximately 500,000 visitors arrived in the destination in January, which was triple that of December 2022.
Hong Kong MICE Leaders Say ‘Hello’
Key Hong Kong MICE leaders combined to issue a video extolling warm greetings to meetings and conventions groups.
Salutations including the following:
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Monica Lee-Müller, managing director of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, remarked that Hong Kong’s world-class venues have always been advancing, and that business events and visitors are welcomed back to HKCEC, now upgraded in a billion-dollar refurbishment.
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Irene Chan, chief executive officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, highlighted the venue’s professional service and strategic location in the city and also applauded Hong Kong’s excellent transportation network that connects both the world and the Mainland.
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Stuart Bailey, chairman of Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association, said hello on behalf of the entire convention and exhibition industry in Hong Kong, representing event management companies and organizers, travel agents, associations, suppliers, contractors and others.
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Margaret Fong, executive director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council, raved about the city’s fundamentals.
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Michael Duck, executive vice president, commercial development of Informa Markets and Wendy Lai, vice president, global sources exhibitions, said they are both thrilled to be staging some of the world’s largest shows in Hong Kong and confident that their shows in Hong Kong will scale new heights.
Watch the video from Hong Kong MICE leaders here:
For more information:
This information is based on a press release from Hong Kong Tourism Board.
