Question :
For the year 2010-11, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch) will continue to work with the industry to enhance the appeal of Hong Kong as an international convention, exhibition and tourism capital. Please compare the specific programmes of cooperation between the Administration and the trade as well as the breakdown of the expenditures for the past three years (i.e. 2007-08 to 2009-10) with those for the coming year (2010-11).
Asked by : Hon. LAM Tai-fai
Reply :
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has all along been working closely with the MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travels, Conventions and Exhibitions) and tourism industries to promote MICE tourism. In 2007-08, the HKTB carried out a number of promotional activities and provided support to MICE events. The relevant expenditure was included in the HKTB’s general promotional expense.
In the 2008-09 Budget, an additional $150 million was earmarked over the following five years to enhance the appeal of Hong Kong as an international convention, exhibition and tourism capital, and to seek to host more mega international conventions and exhibitions in Hong Kong. In 2008-09 and 2009-10, the Government allocated $30 million each year out of this additional funding to the HKTB for promoting MICE tourism. In 2010-11, the Government will continue to allocate $30 million to the HKTB for implementing this task.
Leveraging on the additional funding, the HKTB founded the Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) Office in November 2008 which specialises in promoting MICE tourism. Since its establishment, MEHK has expanded co-operation with the trade on all fronts and established partnership with more trade members. MEHK’s past and future efforts include:
Conducting a series of promotional activities in various target markets and working with the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association, government Economic and Trade Offices, Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Invest Hong Kong to enhance the brand image of Hong Kong as a premier MICE destination;
Assisting the trade to identify and bid for large-scale MICE events, and jointly lobbying and biding for more MICE events to be staged in Hong Kong;
Organising trade delegations to participate in overseas trade shows, familiarisation visits and seminars to provide opportunities for local MICE service suppliers to link up with and promote their products to overseas major organisers and event management companies of MICE events;
Referring local trade members which operate venue, promotion, hospitality as well as various support and logistical services to MICE event organisers while providing one-stop professional support to the latter; and
Partnering with the tourism, airline, hotel, retail and catering trades through the “Business Right Here!” campaign to provide value-added offers on airfares, shopping, sightseeing and dining to MICE visitors, with a view to encouraging them to visit our attractions and stimulating their consumption, thereby benefiting our tourism and related industries.