The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has reported a significant rebound in MICE tourism for the first half of 2024. Hong Kong welcomed approximately 21m visitors between January and June, with about half staying overnight. Among these, 700,000 were MICE visitors, reaching about 80% of the level recorded in the same period of 2018. This makes MICE the fastest recovering visitor segment in Hong Kong.
The HKTB reports that overnight MICE visitor spent an average of HK$8,000 ($1,024), which is 20-30% higher than the average spending of all inbound travellers. In 2023, MICE visitors stayed an average of 3.7 nights, compared to 3.2 nights for all overnight visitors. Additionally, half of the overnight MICE visitors came from international markets, compared to 25% of all overnight visitors in general.
The HKTB’s efforts have led to the securing of over 60 large-scale international MICE events between 2024-2026. These events are expected to attract more than 180,000 visitors from Mainland China and international markets. The events cover a broad range of industries, including technology, medical sciences, financial services, aviation, architecture and education.
Notable events include the return of ACM SIGGRAPH Asia in 2025, SmartCon 2024, Consensus Hong Kong 2025, Super Terminal Expo 2024, Routes World 2025, Airspace Asia Pacific 2025 & 2027, World Cancer Congress 2026, and the International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress 2026.
To sustain the growth of MICE tourism, the HKTB has outlined five key strategies:
- Securing Major International Events: The HKTB will continue efforts to bid for significant international MICE events.
- Funding Schemes: Various funding schemes will support events of different scales and types, benefiting trade, travel agents, and hotels.
- Targeted Approaches: Proven multi-pronged approaches will be used to boost MICE tourism, including the Hong Kong Incentive Playbook. and the Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors programme.
- Enhancing Tourist Experiences: Value-added activities, from sightseeing tours to complimentary museum tickets, will be arranged to showcase Hong Kong’s appeal beyond business.
- Highlighting Hong Kong’s Advantages: Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector between international businesses and Chinese mainland markets will be emphasised, along with the city’s world-class venues and transport infrastructure.
