Govt to boost high-value tourism and Mice

Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Sunday said the government would continue to support the growth of high-value tourism alongside the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (Mice) industry. Writing in his weekly blog, Chan noted that Hong Kong had been buzzing with major events over the past week, including financial summits and international exhibitions. He highlighted the three-day inaugural "Festival of Connoisseurs", which showcased an array of luxury goods such as supercars, yachts and jewellery, noting that it drew over 3,000 visitors from around the world. Citing industry research, Chan said visitors attending international exhibitions spend an average of HK$9,300 per person, which is 70 percent higher than a typical overnight tourist. The research, he said, also estimated that the exhibition industry contributed over HK$50 billion to Hong Kong’s economy in 2024 and created around 67,000 full-time jobs. Chan said the government would continue to vigorously promote mega events across different fields and improve supporting facilities. The Tourism Board, he added, would also continue to work with the industry to tailor more unique experiences and services for high-value visitors. Looking ahead, Chan noted that Hong Kong's capacity for large-scale Mice events would expand by more than 40 percent upon the completion of Phase 2 of AsiaWorld-Expo...