High-season discounts for convention centre

The Convention and Exhibition Centre is trying to attract more clients by offering discounts during the high season for the first time since opening in 1988.

The discounting period will run from the end of the month until August, with a 30 per cent reduction for arenas of 2,000 square metres or above and 35 per cent off those of 293 square metres or larger. But the offer only applies on selected days in March, April and May, which are considered high season.

Allen Ha Wing-on, director of business development at the centre, denied the price cut was linked to the economic downturn.

'The aim of this discount offer is to improve the utilisation of the hall,' he said. 'As there is still room for business, we want to attract different kinds of new clients of various exhibition topics.'

In 1998, the average usage rate of the centre was 45 per cent, increasing to 50 per cent last year. But Mr Ha stressed that business had been stable and positive.

Ha said the centre launched various promotional schemes every year, though this was the first time it would be lowering the rate during high season.