https://www.scmp.com/rss/324967/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The hosting of the star-studded LIV Golf tournament was seen as a coup for Hong Kong when it was first announced in 2023. The city was just beginning to bounce back from the Covid-19 years and urgently needed mega-events to boost its economy and international reputation. Since then, great strides have been made, especially after the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park last year. A variety of elite sports events have been staged and more are on the way. But the LIV Golf Hong Kong competition, held... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3346120/hong-kongs-draw-elite-sports-event-host-display-liv-golf-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3346120/hong-kongs-draw-elite-sports-event-host-display-liv-golf-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Wang Xiangwei Wang Xiangwei The familiar signs of hustle and bustle in Hong Kong are back. Mainland tourists are thronging major attractions, from the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade to Disneyland Resort. Foreign tourists are returning in noticeable numbers, adding a cosmopolitan flair. Overseas business travellers are back in droves, too, as evidenced by the back-to-back exhibitions at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is booked solid until next July. Walking by recently, I was struck by the diversity on... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3324237/hong-kong-back-now-it-must-quickly-cement-its-international-status?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3324237/hong-kong-back-now-it-must-quickly-cement-its-international-status?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Sep 2025 21:30:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Nothing is worse for a public festival than the fun and joy turning into a tragedy. Such a scenario could not have been ruled out had Hong Kong’s first hot-air balloon gala gone ahead with floating rides amid safety doubts. But the abrupt cancellation of the much-touted attraction has inflated into a public relations disaster that does nothing for the city’s brand as a mega-event capital. Revellers are entitled to feel outraged and demand refunds after the AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3324529/hot-air-balloon-event-flop-offers-costly-lessons-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3324529/hot-air-balloon-event-flop-offers-costly-lessons-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 22:45:07 +0000 Ken Chu Ken Chu With China’s 15th National Games set for November, Hong Kong’s preparations are well under way. From Kai Tak Sports Park cutting its teeth on international events to the mobilisation of 15,000 local volunteers with training and test events, the city’s preparations signal that the Games are more than a sporting event. It is a platform for rethinking how Hong Kong engages with its Greater Bay Area neighbours, the city’s youth and the nation as a whole. This year marks the first time that Hong... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3313213/hong-kongs-co-hosting-national-games-about-much-more-sport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3313213/hong-kongs-co-hosting-national-games-about-much-more-sport?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Jun 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong is set to attract about 170,000 visitors on the back of at least 56 events the Tourism Board has helped to put on the city’s calendar this year in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector. The board said it had submitted bids to bring the events to the city, with 16 to make their debut locally this year. Among the full calendar of events are the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s annual meeting in June, as well as aviation conferences Routes World... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3305404/hong-kong-attract-170000-visitors-tourism-boards-56-mice-events?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3305404/hong-kong-attract-170000-visitors-tourism-boards-56-mice-events?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Apr 2025 10:17:24 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Questex picked Hong Kong as the venue for its yearly hospitality investment event, its top executive said, six years after closing down its office in the city and consolidating its operations in Singapore. The organiser of events focused on industries like hospitality, information technology (IT), cybersecurity and digital transformation had its regional headquarters in Hong Kong for 12 years, employing about 30 staff. That was until 2018, when it consolidated its operations in Singapore due to... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3277863/events-organiser-questex-returns-hong-kong-hospitality-forum-six-years-after-decamping-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3277863/events-organiser-questex-returns-hong-kong-hospitality-forum-six-years-after-decamping-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Sep 2024 02:01:07 +0000 The economic schizophrenia in Hong Kong was clearly displayed in this newspaper’s business section last Wednesday. The leading news (“City gets HK$38.3bn boost in first half”) was of more than 300 companies investing in Hong Kong and creating 3,500 jobs. Alongside this was a report (“PwC cuts fundraising forecast for HK by 20%”) on a sharp fall in expectations for Hong Kong’s initial public offering market. So – good news or bad? After five terrible years in which civil unrest and pandemic... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3269206/still-too-soon-hong-kong-declare-its-economy-out-woods?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3269206/still-too-soon-hong-kong-declare-its-economy-out-woods?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Jul 2024 01:30:09 +0000 Hong Kong faces a pressing need to redefine its approach to innovation and risk. To thrive amid evolving global dynamics, the city must embrace a shift away from the pervasive fear of failure that is stifling creativity and curtailing risk-taking, hindering the potential of individuals and businesses alike. In a world where betting on oneself has become the cornerstone of value creation, Hong Kong must foster a climate that encourages bold decisions and recognises the educational value of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3267251/why-hong-kong-needs-embrace-failure-succeed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3267251/why-hong-kong-needs-embrace-failure-succeed?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jun 2024 12:30:09 +0000 Without having to do much heavy lifting, Hong Kong has been welcoming tourists from all over the world for a long time, and predominantly from mainland China in recent years. As part of a decades-old mechanism, our tourism promotion has been mostly opportunistic, riding on planned events year after year. But such efforts, in the absence of a consolidated strategy, are no longer yielding the results that meet the city’s need for economic growth. Travel patterns around the world, particularly in... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3264569/hong-kong-needs-redefine-its-tourism-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3264569/hong-kong-needs-redefine-its-tourism-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Jun 2024 01:30:09 +0000 After the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong’s neighbours all seem to have regained their tourism vibrancy before we have. And with a stronger currency, Hong Kong’s tourism offerings have become much less appealing. We did not expect to see more outbound travellers than inbound visitors after Hong Kong reopened its borders last year. Over three days during the Easter holiday this year, for example, about 2 million residents left the city while visitor arrivals reached only 1.2 million. This net... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3260580/3-ways-hong-kong-can-easily-and-quickly-its-tourism-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3260580/3-ways-hong-kong-can-easily-and-quickly-its-tourism-game?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:30:19 +0000 Businesses in Hong Kong are hoping for a boost from visitors over mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday. But hope cannot be a substitute for action in this difficult environment, and it is up to us whether Hong Kong’s economy perishes under the fiery challenges or finds a transformative rebirth – like a phoenix rising from the ashes. In Chinese mythology, the phoenix represents resilience, duty, propriety and virtue. Perhaps it should be the symbol of our times: Hongkongers must take... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3259692/hong-kong-thrive-private-sector-must-rise-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3259692/hong-kong-thrive-private-sector-must-rise-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Apr 2024 01:15:16 +0000 Television viewers of a nervous disposition might have been shaken recently by local news coverage of two Michaels. I was one and the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, was the other. The contrast could not have been sharper: one in his mid-70s and retired into relative obscurity 15 years ago, the other turned 80 still strutting the stage and wowing audiences worldwide. What linked them was an event some 20 years ago, the entertainment spectacle known as HarbourFest. I represented... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3254516/how-truly-mega-event-hong-kong-could-silence-article-23-critics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3254516/how-truly-mega-event-hong-kong-could-silence-article-23-critics?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Mar 2024 08:30:09 +0000 Reigniting our tourism industry to drive economic growth and enhance our image overseas has become a hot topic of discussion in Hong Kong in recent months. The industry has historically maintained a high profile because of the visibility of our overseas visitors, and it has been a steadfast economic pillar. In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, it accounted for 3.6 per cent of our economy and made up 6 per cent of employment. In recent weeks, the extensive media coverage has centred around... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3254406/we-all-want-taylor-swift-hong-kong-prepared-compete-any-cost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3254406/we-all-want-taylor-swift-hong-kong-prepared-compete-any-cost?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:30:11 +0000 The FIA World Rallycross Championship last November reminded us that tight event schedules are an organiser’s nightmare. Given the impossible mission to build the street circuit within two weeks, when it usually took longer in other cities, the organiser faced construction delays that meant the planned 1.225km track could not be completed in time and had to be shortened. Before that, with less than a month to organise the Wan Chai “waterfront carnival” of the “Night Vibes Hong Kong” campaign,... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3253014/hong-kong-can-deliver-mega-events-government-must-step?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3253014/hong-kong-can-deliver-mega-events-government-must-step?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Feb 2024 01:30:10 +0000 One bright light in these dark days is the landing of the Sphere in Las Vegas. In case you missed it, the Sphere is a mind-blowing experiential venue that will transform entertainment in North America. Currently showcasing U2, the Sphere has an outer-space look and feel, and is breathtaking. It’s next-level immersive virtual reality. At 580,000 sq ft, the Sphere’s outer shell is the world’s largest LED display. It is formed from more than a million baseball-sized LED colour-changing lights that... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3237957/five-reasons-hong-kong-needs-build-its-own-sphere-la-las-vegas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3237957/five-reasons-hong-kong-needs-build-its-own-sphere-la-las-vegas?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Oct 2023 01:30:09 +0000 Singapore recently hosted the Formula One Grand Prix weekend, the highlight of which was the night race on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The Lion City originally held races from 1961 to 1973, and the event returned in 2008, rebranded to showcase the vibrant city at night. The 14 races since have attracted around 1 billion viewers worldwide. Accompanied by major performances and events, F1 brings the city state immeasurable image benefits and tourism receipts. In contrast, Hong Kong’s tourism,... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3235577/hong-kongs-colour-fading-while-singapore-and-shenzhen-shine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3235577/hong-kongs-colour-fading-while-singapore-and-shenzhen-shine?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Sep 2023 01:30:13 +0000 Hong Kong is at a crossroads. The city needs to completely rethink its role globally and see how it can reinvent its brand and the way it is perceived. Hong Kong’s reputation as a residential, career or holiday destination has deteriorated over the years. We must change this for the better to be internationally competitive. We have world-class infrastructure, gorgeous beaches, beautiful mountains and glittering skyscrapers all within 1,100 sq km. As many major cities struggle with structural... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3221721/how-hong-kong-can-give-world-reasons-fall-back-love-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3221721/how-hong-kong-can-give-world-reasons-fall-back-love-it?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 May 2023 00:15:19 +0000 Last week’s lifting of the mask mandate brought a palpable and collective sigh of relief that is still reverberating through the community. After almost three years, its removal was the signal we needed to confirm that our lives can begin to get back to normal, or at least the new normal. Economic recovery is definitely in sight. The timely news coincided with a host of world-class international events in Hong Kong this month alone, which will support economic recovery and stimulate... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3212829/masks-and-shows-hong-kong-back-track?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3212829/masks-and-shows-hong-kong-back-track?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Mar 2023 00:15:08 +0000 Criticising such a well-intended initiative as Hello Hong Kong is likely to get me written off as something of a party pooper, so maybe I should start by saying some of the good things. First, it is great that the government is paying so much attention to the tourism industry and devoting considerable resources to supporting its revival after three years of Covid-19-induced disaster. Second, the personal involvement of the chief executive in such a high-profile manner sends a clear signal to the... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3209550/hello-hong-kong-we-need-remind-tourists-why-were-simply-best?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3209550/hello-hong-kong-we-need-remind-tourists-why-were-simply-best?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Feb 2023 03:30:12 +0000 Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has had a very busy first six months in office during which he has performed pretty well. But alas, there can be no rest for him over Christmas as his 2023 plate already looks quite full, even assuming no unforeseen emergencies. Here are some New Year’s resolutions to help him navigate the stormy waters. Number one, stay laser-focused on the economy. The government has exciting plans to address our many areas of social need, in particular housing and an... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3203595/six-new-years-resolutions-john-lee-hong-kong-navigates-stormy-waters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3203595/six-new-years-resolutions-john-lee-hong-kong-navigates-stormy-waters?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:15:10 +0000 I have fond memories of president Jiang Zemin, who died last week at the age of 96. Though he did not know it, he had a great influence on my life and career. In July 2000, I had been asked to set up a new government department, InvestHK, to attract businesses from around the world to set up in our city. It was a challenging assignment. The images of Hong Kong over the three previous years that lingered in foreigners’ minds were largely negative: the armoured vehicles of the People’s Liberation... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3201671/when-jiang-zemin-showed-world-hong-kong-meant-business?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3201671/when-jiang-zemin-showed-world-hong-kong-meant-business?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Dec 2022 03:45:09 +0000 The physical presence of overseas exhibitors and buyers is crucial to the success of international trade fairs, but travellers continue to be turned away by Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic measures, the gradual relaxation of which has been described frustratingly as “squeezing toothpaste”. As an Asian product sourcing event with a long history of 30 years, Mega Show returned on November 15 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with only 700 booths this year, a mere eighth of its size... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3200178/trade-fairs-flounder-why-hong-kong-easing-out-covid-19-so-slowly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3200178/trade-fairs-flounder-why-hong-kong-easing-out-covid-19-so-slowly?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2022 08:30:09 +0000 The final siren has sounded. The beer jugs have been collected. And the stadium has returned to the eerie silence that has, sadly, epitomised the venue for the last few years. The Hong Kong Sevens ended on a high note and injected a much-needed spirit of hope and optimism back into the community – probably the only event that could have done that, restrictions and all. But what next? As we look forward to a solid events calendar over the next few months, here are seven lessons from the Sevens... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3198742/seven-lessons-sevens-rugby-success-hong-kong-reopens-events?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3198742/seven-lessons-sevens-rugby-success-hong-kong-reopens-events?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Nov 2022 00:15:11 +0000 As tickets for the long-awaited Hong Kong Sevens went on sale this week, our hermit city creaked open its doors to the world for the first time in three years. Do we still have the flair to organise what, for the past four decades, has been one of the world’s best sporting parties? And how many from overseas will bother to come? As Hong Kong’s travel-hungry families celebrate the government’s nervous steps towards opening up, there are still many events – in particular sporting ones – that... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3194300/hong-kong-needs-bring-back-international-sporting-events?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3194300/hong-kong-needs-bring-back-international-sporting-events?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Oct 2022 01:15:11 +0000 With so many countries beleaguered by soaring inflation, crippling debt, unprecedented droughts and floods, food and energy shortages, and armed conflict, it seems curmudgeonly to wring hands over Hong Kong’s seemingly modest travails. After all, inflation is just 1.9 per cent, compared with 8.5 per cent in the US and 10.1 per cent in Britain, where predictions are for an alarming 18 per cent next year. Neither energy nor food are discernibly in short supply, and the recent typhoon Ma-on caused... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3190416/hong-kongs-economic-woes-are-almost-entirely-result-three?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3190416/hong-kongs-economic-woes-are-almost-entirely-result-three?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Aug 2022 01:15:21 +0000 Forget about the Covid-19 event courtesies – elbow knocking, foot-shakes or a no-touch fist “bump”. A new surge of cases in Hong Kong has put the events industry into deep freeze, with many events cancelled and unlikely to be rescheduled. Cancellations have undoubtedly had a substantial impact on the industry. According to a February study by legislator Ma Fung-kwok, 94.9 per cent of surveyed professionals have had to cancel or postpone their events. Many events professionals have been affected,... https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3098031/without-targeted-coronavirus-relief-hong-kongs-events-industry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3098031/without-targeted-coronavirus-relief-hong-kongs-events-industry?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2020 23:25:12 +0000 As the coronavirus pandemic takes a heavy toll on Hong Kong’s economy, the export-oriented jewellery sector has been particularly hard hit. Exports in the sector fell by 37.3 per cent in April, compared to a 3.7 per cent total decline for Hong Kong. Most of Hong Kong’s jewellery manufacturers have factories on the mainland and their operations have been suspended since mid-January, causing heavy losses. Meanwhile, the major export markets of our jewellery manufacturers are Europe and the United... https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3086573/coronavirus-hong-kong-hard-hit-jewellers-need-government-and-peer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3086573/coronavirus-hong-kong-hard-hit-jewellers-need-government-and-peer?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 May 2020 23:35:14 +0000 Trade exhibitions in Hong Kong have taken a hit in the last month and a half, with buyer attendance slumping by 20 per cent, as visitors give the city a miss amid some of the worst unrest since protests started in June. Total attendance for the seven shows organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in October and the first two weeks of November fell to 156,000 from 195,000 last year for the same group of exhibitions. The number of exhibitors however remained roughly the same at... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3037982/hong-kong-protests-deal-massive-blow-trade-exhibitions-visitor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3037982/hong-kong-protests-deal-massive-blow-trade-exhibitions-visitor?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Nov 2019 03:00:17 +0000 Event planners in Asia are increasingly looking beyond the region for hosting their business meetings and corporate events. With more airlines to choose from and lower travel costs than ever before, hosting an event at a long-haul destination is no longer considered a luxury. With the increase in visitors from Asia in recent years, some of the global meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions (MICE) destinations have redirected their focus from US and European markets to Asia for growth.... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/special-reports/topics/mice-biz/article/2142109/qatar-and-austria-are?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/special-reports/topics/mice-biz/article/2142109/qatar-and-austria-are?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Apr 2018 04:01:17 +0000 River cruising is the best and most comfortable way to experience all that Europe has to offer, and it is also ideal for MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) planners seeking new, off-the-beaten-track itineraries for their groups, according to Henry Yu, manager for Asia, Uniworld, a luxury river cruise line. Yu says river cruising is highly suitable for incentive and corporate groups because of the consistency in accommodation, food and beverage quality; and because cruise... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/special-reports/topics/mice-biz/article/2142103/explore-europes-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/special-reports/topics/mice-biz/article/2142103/explore-europes-history?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Apr 2018 07:00:46 +0000 A corporate dinner must meet various requirements to be memorable and effective. The food obviously needs to be great, and ideally on-trend, and the location should be private but not boring. For the added wow factor, the private dining space should have a unique edge, something that makes it stand out, such as the following five venues.  One of the newest and most innovative options that is perfect for a unique dinner is in Taipei. Creating a reimagined table-to-farm dining experience is chef... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/special-reports/topics/mice-biz/article/2142097/5-best-private-dining?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/special-reports/topics/mice-biz/article/2142097/5-best-private-dining?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Apr 2018 04:00:15 +0000 Small boutique hotels with limited function facilities might initially seem no match for the marketing might of international chains when they pitch for meetings business.  Yet,  boutique properties can use their facilities and locations to win clients, as Villa Song Saigon does in Ho Chi Minh City. 5 luxury boutique hotels you must visit in Malaysia for an unforgettable experience “Despite being a small 23-room boutique hotel, we actually do a lot of events,” says Yega Thiyagarajan, the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/special-reports/topics/mice-biz/article/2142106/boutique-hotels-take?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/special-reports/topics/mice-biz/article/2142106/boutique-hotels-take?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Apr 2018 07:00:30 +0000 Business travel is expected to grow as Chinese companies see the importance of face-to-face contacts with their clients and because of the business opportunities brought by the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI), according to the China Business Travel Survey 2017 released by the CITS American Express Global Business Travel. The survey indicates that 31 per cent of Chinese companies expect travel budgets to rise over the next year. Only 17 per cent predicted budget increases a year earlier. Forty... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141981/chinese-companies-more-confident-about?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141981/chinese-companies-more-confident-about?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:47:16 +0000 China and Indonesia are among the top destinations in Asia for meetings and events, according to a report by global destination companies Pacific World and Access. The 2018 Special Destinations Report explores why destinations are attracting so much interest. The report says a hotel boom in China, especially in second-tier cities, has drawn meetings and incentive groups. The growth of middle-class consumers and a relocation of manufacturing plants have made way for many mid-scale and budget... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141980/special-destinations-report-focuses-popular?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141980/special-destinations-report-focuses-popular?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:42:13 +0000 Companies are increasingly adopting themes for MICE trips to enhance participants’ experiences, according to a survey by the organiser of ITE MICE exhibition in Hong Kong. Themes include green tourism (64 per cent of respondents), food and wine (52 per cent), cruise (38 per cent), volunteering (32 per cent) and sports (27 per cent). When hosting a corporate event on a cruise ship, the top three considerations are routing/destination (71 per cent of respondents), event facilities (60 per cent),... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141978/themed-mice-trips-raise-fun-factor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141978/themed-mice-trips-raise-fun-factor?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:38:46 +0000 The Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort has launched its first family friendly hotel – the 1,500-room Chimelong Panda Hotel created under the panda toon-town theme based on the Panda Triplets cartoon TV series. Designed by American architectural design firm WATG, the hotel’s exterior resembles a fairy-like kingdom from the cartoon series. Other elements include a teapot-shaped train, a photo area with cartoon characters, and a Kids’ Wonderland in the hotel lobby. Guest rooms are based on cartoon... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141976/family-time-chimelong-panda-hotel-inspired?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141976/family-time-chimelong-panda-hotel-inspired?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:35:47 +0000 Hyatt Hotels opened its first Grand Hyatt hotel in the Philippines in January. Located in the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig district, the 461-room luxury hotel occupies the top floors of the tallest skyscraper in the country, at 1,043 feet, offering unobstructed views of the Makati skyline and Manila Bay. All guestrooms feature a modern look with floor-to-ceiling windows and mirrored walls. The guestrooms are equipped with a large stained wooden desk, a 50-inch LCD TV with a Bluetooth... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141975/first-grand-hyatt-hotel-opens-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141975/first-grand-hyatt-hotel-opens-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:32:21 +0000 The LN Garden Hotel in Guangzhou has recently completed a major upgrade of its gardens and lobby to offer its guests a fresh experience, and to attract more meetings and outdoor events business. Opened more than 30 years ago, the hotel has one of the most extensive and versatile event spaces in the city, including a grand ballroom and nine multifunction meeting rooms. Following the upgrade, the hotel lobby and the front and back gardens now offer organisers more options for hosting their... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141974/ln-garden-hotel-guangzhou-upgraded-highest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141974/ln-garden-hotel-guangzhou-upgraded-highest?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:28:44 +0000 Sheraton Guangzhou Nansha Hotel opened last October in Nansha, which has become a popular destination for business and leisure. The hotel has 291 guest rooms and suites, and its facilities include a fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, and a sauna. Its three restaurants serve Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisines. The hotel boasts over 2,000 square metres of meetings and events space across 11 function rooms, including a 1,000-square-metre pillarless ballroom with foyer. Two VIP rooms can be... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141969/sheraton-guangzhou-nansha-hotel-purpose?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141969/sheraton-guangzhou-nansha-hotel-purpose?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:19:38 +0000 Following the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games, Seoul hosted a series of tours from February 10 to 23 to showcase the city to visiting athletes and International Olympic Committee officials. Launched by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and operated by the Seoul Tourism Organisation (STO), the Winter Olympic Seoul Tour Bus for Olympic Athletes showed athletes and officials some of the city’s most historical sites. The tour bus took athletes to the city’s major cultural tourist sites,... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141968/seoul-reason-mice-industry-gets-boost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141968/seoul-reason-mice-industry-gets-boost?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:17:36 +0000 Wuzhizhou Island, opposite Haitang Bay, is gaining popularity as a tourist attraction on Hainan Island, and a side trip for groups staying at the luxury resorts in Sanya. Covering an area of 1.48 square kilometres (0.57 square miles) with a 5.7km (3.5 mile) coastline, the island is known for its exquisite scenery, clear water and natural marine resources. Surrounded by pristine beaches and beautiful coral reefs, the island is a paradise for diving and other water sports. Sightseeing spots... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141967/wuzhizhou-islands-natural-attractions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141967/wuzhizhou-islands-natural-attractions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:11:34 +0000 Luxury beach clubs can now offer MICE groups a lot more than many hotels and resorts. Look at what is happening at the Omnia Dayclub Bali, which opened in February. “The days of conference rooms in hotels, soulless trade show centres or conventional restaurants are definitely over,” says Paul Hugo, its director of marketing and events. “We have found that there is far more interest in the experiential: creating original experiences that genuinely delight, inspire and leave everyone feeling... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141965/luxury-beach-clubs-offer-mice-groups?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141965/luxury-beach-clubs-offer-mice-groups?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 10:59:18 +0000 In 2016, the Macau government rolled out a five-year development plan to promote non-gaming industries and to diversify the economy. Meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions (MICE) is one of the plan’s focus industries. The new MGM Cotai in the Cotai resort area, with its advanced exhibition and convention technologies, has enhanced the city’s MICE facilities. The HK$26.5 billion integrated resort, which opened in mid-February, provides 1,390 guest rooms and suites. It houses Asia’s first... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141964/macau-makes-moves-develop-non-gaming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141964/macau-makes-moves-develop-non-gaming?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 10:53:29 +0000 The Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) opened in August 2017 and is the country’s largest exhibition centre, with over 45,000 square metres of gross exhibition space. It is also the first component of a high-impact project in KL Metropolis, a city within the city of Kuala Lumpur, where trade, commerce, living space and transport converge over 75 acres (30.35 hectares) of prime land development within Malaysian capital’s International Trade and Exhibition District. The... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141959/malaysia-international-trade-and-exhibition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141959/malaysia-international-trade-and-exhibition?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 10:46:14 +0000 Event Over 350 international travel agents, media and partners on March 9-11 enjoyed a fun-filled weekend on the inaugural Genting Cruise Lines Travel Partners Tribute on World Dream, the newest member of the Dream Cruises fleet. The two-night cruise event started with a barbecue party at the ZOUK Beach Club, where guests enjoyed a fun-filled evening of alfresco dining, a swimwear fashion show and a foam party. On the next day, guests enjoyed an interactive treasure hunt game at sea, through... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141958/celebrating-introduction-newest-member?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141958/celebrating-introduction-newest-member?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 10:33:32 +0000 Event The Wall Street English Annual Leadership Conference was held at Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa, on Hainan, from January 15 to 19. Attendees from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other cities gathered at the hotel to look back on 2017 and look forward to 2018. The event’s highlight was a themed dinner at the resort. Objectives This was the third time the annual conference was held at Le Meridien Shimei Bay. For the 2017 event, the hotel presented a special “Li Minority Long... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141952/le-meridien-shimei-bay-beach-resort-spa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141952/le-meridien-shimei-bay-beach-resort-spa?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 10:24:03 +0000 Event The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali held its annual Appreciation Gathering on February 1. More than 300 of the island’s leading travel agents and media representatives came together for a social evening of local elegance. Objectives This annual appreciation event was hosted by the resort to thank its travel and media partners for their tremendous support over the past year. This year’s event also introduced the guests to the new resort’s enhanced lobby, where the setting conceptually emulates... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141945/westin-resort-nusa-dua-bali-makes-most-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/mice-biz/article/2141945/westin-resort-nusa-dua-bali-makes-most-time?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Apr 2018 10:05:20 +0000