Stem cell, aviation meetings among 56 events in surging MICE tourism

Ayra Wang

Hong Kong's meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions tourism is rebounding strongly, with over 1.42 million overnight visitors last year, a 10 percent year-on-year increase, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

These high-value MICE travelers spent 40 percent more per capita than general overnight visitors, boosting sectors like retail, dining and entertainment.

The board has successfully attracted 56 major MICE events this year, including 16 debuting in the city, spanning fintech, biotech, aviation and more.

Phoebe Shing, the board's director and business development team lead of MICE, said the 56 events are expected to draw 170,000 overseas and mainland attendees, with total participation reaching 260,000.

"In June, Hong Kong will host the International Society for Stem Cell Research 2025 annual meeting for the first time," Shing said. "For the aviation sector, we will welcome Routes World 2025 in September, and also Airspace Asia Pacific 2025 in December."

With international flight capacity steadily recovering, Shing said the outlook for MICE tourism remains bright. Shing added: "We will continue to solidify Hong Kong as the world's meeting place to attract more high-yield visitors."

The city's unique blend of business infrastructure and cultural experiences was recently showcased to a delegation of international conference organizers.

Nine representatives from the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers, including professionals from Germany, Canada and Mexico, visited Hong Kong for a five-day study mission, at the invitation of the Tourism Board. Their tour included inspections of event venues, such as a newly opened Wan Chai hotel where they participated in an impromptu mahjong session - a taste of local culture.

Jocelyne Mulli, managing director of a German conference organizer, praised Hong Kong's ability to merge modernity with heritage.

"You are a hub, you are a base, and you are in the best place to welcome international delegates," she said. "It is not everywhere that you have ballrooms and venues of such size. You have a multilingual society and these historical aspects."

Alejandro Ramirez Tabche, chief executive of a Mexican event planning company, called Hong Kong "gorgeous" and said he would recommend it without hesitation for future events.