It's an old and enduring rivalry - Hong Kong versus Singapore in the Mice destination game.
David Jones, associate professor and undergraduate programme director at Polytechnic University's school of hotel and tourism management, is upbeat over the prospects for both players at this difficult time. He said: 'The recession may be slowing down numbers, but it is largely business as usual.
'Companies have scaled back a bit, but associations haven't. And both cities will be well-positioned when the business cycle goes back on the upswing.'
As for this city specifically, Dr Jones said: 'Hong Kong remains very competitive, with great meeting venues, hotels, transportation, airline connectivity and tourist attractions. The competition continues to grow in the Asian marketplace, so Hong Kong can't afford to be complacent. Nevertheless, it remains a very attractive Mice destination for international and intra-Asia Mice business.'
More regional cities are joining the ranks of Mice hubs, which has presented challenges for Hong Kong. However, as Dr Jones said: 'The growing number of competitors results in a 'spread of the wealth', but that doesn't mean Hong Kong is declining in this field. What we do see more of is rotation, with companies and associations going to a different Asia-Pacific city each year - which is good for all of them.'
As for the future of the Hong Kong versus Singapore Mice game, Dr Jones said: 'More and more organisations will look to rotate Mice events between the two destinations.'