
To that end, Bailey highlighted that HKTB is "looking at a major revamp of the HK tourist destination branding, which has remained largely unchanged since the 1990’s and which we hope will help to engage with new audiences and bring more visitors to experience Hong Kong’s dynamic appeal”. Any project which helps to revitalise the tourist offerings and make the city an even more attractive destination will have a positive effect on MICE organisers ability to bring in more overseas participants”, said Stuart Bailey, chairman, HKECIA. “It is a good sign that the government understands the need to support Hong Kong’s tourism industries. Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) agrees. But more importantly, HML expressed appreciation of the government's recognition of "the significant contribution of the exhibition and convention industry to the economy of Hong Kong," a spokesperson told M&C Asia.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Rawpixel LtdĪpart from benefiting organisers who held exhibitions at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in recent months, the venue sees the expanded budget as a way of facilitating cross-border trade. MICE travellers out-spend other FIT visitors by a magnitude of 4 to 10 times depending on the sector, according to Stuart Bailey, chairman, HKECIA. "Making good use of digital technology is not only essential to effective business operation, but also crucial for preventing and combating the pandemic and protecting public health and safety," Chan said. It has already provided nearly HK$800 million in funds so far. YK Pang, chairman of HKTB, said: “In addition to our continuous efforts to enhance the local atmosphere and support the travel trade, the HKTB’s goal is to encourage visitors to choose Hong Kong as their first destination when cross-border travel resumes”.Īcknowledging how virtual has become the new way to work and meet, another HK$1 billion will go into the Distance Business Programme - first launched in mid-2020 to fund enterprises looking to adopt information technology solutions. In response to last week's budget announcement, Dr.

The government has allocated an additional HK$765 million (US$98.62 million) for the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to “set up promotion and revive the tourism industry when the epidemic is over,” said Chan in the budget speech earlier this week. MICE and tourism stakeholders have welcomed extended government support, following the latest 2021/22 budget announced by Hong Kong financial secretary Paul Chan on 24 February. Photo Credit:Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association hopes new destination branding will "engage new audiences and bring more visitors to experience Hong Kong’s dynamic appeal".
