Session No. 5 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2010-11
Question: Regarding the item to “continue to monitor the long-term demand for convention and exhibition facilities in Hong Kong” mentioned under Matters Requiring Special Attention in 2010-11, the CEDB stated last year that it would consult the public on the Phase 3 Expansion of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, but has yet to proceed with it. Has CEDB assessed the time required for developing the new convention and exhibition facilities? When will the existing facilities reach their full capacity according to the growth rate of the industry? Has the Government ever monitored the situation where major conventions or exhibitions are shifted to other cities due to venue constraint? Asked by: Hon. FANG Kang, Vincent Reply: When assessing the long-term demand for the convention and exhibition facilities in Hong Kong, we will take into account the result of a Government-commissioned consultancy study on the supply of and demand for exhibition facilities in Hong Kong as well as the findings of surveys on Hong Kong’s convention and exhibition industry conducted or being conducted by other organizations. We have not made any decision on the construction of new facilities. We will conduct a public consultation at an appropriate time when there is a concrete proposal. We are aware that at present, the supply of exhibition spaces at Hong Kong’s two major exhibition venues are, to various extents, tight during certain time periods within purchasing seasons (especially April and October each year). However, we have not heard from any convention and exhibition organiser that its event was relocated to other cities because of venue constraints in Hong Kong.
Question : The Government provided special funding in 2008 for the 3-year MICE promotion work. How is the progress of the promotion work? What are the benefits derived? At this stage, will the Government consider further its special funding for MICE promotion upon the expiry of 3 years? Asked by : Hon. FANG Kang, Vincent Reply : 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. The Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) Office was established under the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in November 2008, specialising in promoting MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travels, Conventions and Exhibitions) tourism. In 2010-11, MEHK will implement the following initiatives:
In 2009, MEHK provided support to 1 090 MICE events. Amongst them, 590 have been secured following MEHK’s proactive lobbying efforts and would be held in Hong Kong in 2009-13. These new MICE events are expected to bring in over 150 000 additional MICE visitors. Under the concerted efforts of the trade and HKTB, Hong Kong received 1.16 million overnight MICE visitors in 2009, a slight decrease of 0.2% over 2008 despite the global economic crisis. Hong Kong also won the titles of “Favourite City in the World” and “Best Business City in the World” in a number of polls organised by the MICE trade. In 2010-11, the Government will continue to allocate $30 million, out of the additional $150 million earmarked in the 2008-09 Budget for strengthening MICE promotion, to HKTB for carrying out the above tasks. Upon expiry of this additional funding in 2012-13, we will consider the appropriate way forward in accordance with the future development needs of MICE tourism.
Directory: citb -> doc doc -> Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc Download 4.7 Mb. Share with your friends:
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