Summer is the peak season for exhibitions in Hong Kong, drawing exhibitors from around the world to attend various trade fairs. These events not only foster the city’s economic and cultural exchanges with other regions but also present opportunities to attract high-end business travellers to experience the city’s unique charm.

Hong Kong has staged quite an interesting line-up this summer, including the Book Fair, the Ani-com & Games Hong Kong, the Home Delights Expo and the Food Expo.

In September, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will host a series of important conferences and exhibitions, including the 10^th Belt and Road Summit. This annual forum brings together officials and business leaders from BRI countries and regions, offering a prime opportunity to explore collaboration and business prospects. Amid complex geopolitical shifts and increasing trade protectionism in certain nations, multilateral cooperation continues to be crucial for mutual gains and collective success.

Hosting large-scale international conferences and exhibitions provides businesses worldwide with a fair and open platform to promote their brands and seek partnerships. Simultaneously, this reinforces Hong Kong’s standing as a convention and exhibition hub, drawing high-end business travellers who also enjoy the city’s vibrant leisure offerings, from sightseeing to shopping, thus boosting spending.

In 2023 and 2024, Hong Kong welcomed approximately 1.3 million and 1.42 million overnight MICE travellers, respectively, with per capita spending 30% to 40% higher than that of general overnight visitors. The Government estimates that, with support from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, MICE tourism activities in the current and next fiscal year will attract at least 183,000 high-value-added overnight MICE visitors, generating HK$1.4 billion in spending.

As Hong Kong actively explores emerging markets, its conference and exhibition activities should align with the development trends and needs of these economies. For instance, more forums and exhibitions could focus on BRI infrastructure, new energy, green finance and biomedical technology. At the same time, visa policies and stay durations for travellers from these countries could be eased.

I have also suggested that the authorities collaborate with industry stakeholders to offer attractive cultural and tourism experiences, as well as dining and accommodation discounts, for high-end business travellers attending international summits and major exhibitions in Hong Kong. This would encourage extended stays and higher spending, further boosting the city’s MICE economy and the development of related industries.

Jeffrey Lam
jeffrey@jeffreylam.hk