Cruise programmes are becoming popular for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE), especially those to short-haul destinations, as no air travel is required. It's also easier for budgeting, as cruise packages are usually all-inclusive and offer many options for entertainment and team-building activities.

As the MICE market continues to bounce back and becomes more sophisticated and professional, it's a good time for hotels to retain customers by offering various kinds of loyalty programmes. These programmes are targeted at MICE planners, attendees and travel agencies.

Despite their long presence in China, international hotel chains have never slowed down their expansion on the mainland, largely because of the country's continued economic growth, improving transport infrastructure and growing demand for hotels in many secondary cities.