Hong Kong looks to innovation, new markets in battle to retain status as key exhibitions hub
Hong Kong’s has lost its crown as the capital of Asia’s convention and exhibitions market, but experts say it can remain an important destination by embracing key strengths and catering to shifting consumer markets
Twenty years ago, when the iconic phase II of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) hosted the handover ceremony of Hong Kong to China, the city was enjoying the title of Asia’s convention and exhibition capital.
But today Hong Kong’s status is increasingly threatened by its Asian counterparts, especially mainland Chinese cities.
The number of visitors to Hong Kong related to meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) grew by 37.6 per cent during 2008-2012, but slowed to 17.7 per cent during 2012-2016, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
Among Asia-Pacific cities, Hong Kong last year dropped to fifth from third in 2015 by number of meetings held, data from International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) showed.
“Hong Kong had an early start in the convention and exhibition industry. When it opened in 1988, HKCEC was the second-largest venue in Asia. The sector developed very fast at that time and the venue quickly became saturated in the 1990s,” said Monica Lee-Müller, managing director of HKCEC.
The HKCEC, Hong Kong’s biggest convention and exhibition venue, underwent two expansions in 1997 and 2009. The total leasable area stands at 91,500 square metres.
