Over 60 top MICE agents from five markets arrived in town for an award ceremony and 5-day reward trip; heading towards a new era with Hong Kong offering much more business opportunities for agents and unique experiences for MICE groups.

HONG KONG -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Organised by Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK), a division of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the Top MICE Agent Awards Ceremony cum Mega Familiarisation Trip took place for the seventh consecutive year and concluded in unprecedented scale.

Held from 6–10 March 2019, over 60 agents from five strategic markets, including Mainland China, India, Indonesia, South Korea and the newcomer – Thailand, gathered for a five-day rewarding familiarisation trip with an award extravaganza as recognition.

“In 2018, Hong Kong recorded close to two million overnight MICE arrivals, representing a year-on-year growth of 2.1%. Short-haul markets performed with a particularly strong growth rate of 8.7%; as for the Meeting and Incentive segment; some markets recorded a double-digit growth rate including South Korea and our new strategic market, Thailand,” said Kenneth Wong, General Manager of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s MICE and Cruise Division.

“In 2019, Hong Kong is setting off to a new era for MICE Tourism as we have many new infrastructures, new business potential with the Greater Bay Area and most importantly, exciting new experiences for MICE groups. Travel agents play a pivotal role and we would like to express our greatest appreciation through an excitement-filled ceremony and customised itinerary, to showcase there’s so much more Hong Kong can offer.”

New Elements of This Year's Ceremony, Familiarisation Trip and Beyond:

Greater Opportunities Await with Rail & Bridge: A visit to the world’s dual super-infrastructure left the delegates awestruck as the world came closer with the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the High Speed Rail Link (HK section), significantly cutting travelling time from Zhuhai to Hong Kong from 4 hours to 45 minutes and directly linking Hong Kong to 44 cities in Mainland China, respectively.

Spark Inspiration with Local Heritage: From revitalised sites to well-preserved traditions, Hong Kong has many new options in store. From a rewarding experience having a cocktail behind bars at Tai Kwun, a former police compound over 170 years old, or a team workshop and cultural retail therapy at the Mills, a revitalised iconic textiles factory, or sampling local dim sum while enjoying the rich heritage of Cantonese opera at the Tea House of Xiqu Centre, part of the West Kowloon Cultural District Development, a new vibrant cultural quarter in the heart of Hong Kong.

Celebrate Success at One of the City’s Largest Pillar-less Ballrooms: The ceremony was hosted at the new Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel, an urban oasis with the largest pillar-less ballroom on Hong Kong Island that spans over 13,000 sq. ft and hosts up to 1,200pax, in addition to a 16-metre high vertical aquarium that spans over three floors.

Behind-the-Scenes Experiences with Good Fortune Hong Kong: A tailor-made itinerary created especially for agents allows them to go temple hopping with exclusive privileges, including a behind-the-scenes tour at Wong Tai Sin Temple and ‘Good Fortune’ blessings charms as souvenirs.

Infuse the Great Outdoors into MICE Itinerary: Hong Kong has many sides and nature is one that is lesser-known. To promote the city’s rich greenery offerings for MICE, agents were arranged to go on a Geopark boat trip and hiking followed by a seafood lunch at Sai Kung and Lamma Island, and some were fascinated by the incredible view on Dragon’s Back, where they got to feel the city’s energy up top where the world was literally at their feet.

Bond the Team with Fun-filled Workshops: Nothing builds the team better than a great fun-filled group experience. In a city known as a melting pot, cultural workshop ideas are abundant. From the local traditions of tai chi, wing chun and Chinese calligraphy to mead crash course, ukulele jamming and dim sum making, there’s always one that fits your group.

Apart from new elements incorporated into their itinerary, more new excitement awaits in the pipeline:

New Integrated Meeting Solutions and Excitement at the City’s Two Leading Theme Parks: Hong Kong Disneyland is undergoing its multi-year expansion, which will provide new attractions or entertainment offerings almost every year, including its newest Marvel attraction, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, opening on 31 March 2019. Ocean Park Hong Kong, meanwhile, has a Water World in the works and it is set to become the first and only waterfront water park in Southeast Asia, perfect for those who want to relax with a splash.

To learn more about and apply for the 2019/20 Top MICE Agent Awards programme, contact us at mehk@hktb.com or get in touch with contacts in our local offices (insert WWO contacts), or visit www.mehongkong.com.

Media can download additional photos from the following link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1KMWUxxHN7m-JOrDz1aglxJI4mJXY_Dxz

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CONTACT:

Ivy Chung
Email: mehk@hktb.com
Tel: 852-2807 6255

Over 60 winning agents from five markets received accolades at MEHK-hosted Awards Ceremony at Ocean Park Marriott Hotel. (Photo: Business Wire)

Spark Inspiration with Local Heritage: Sampling local dim sum while enjoying the long tradition of Cantonese opera at the latest Xiqu Centre Tea House. (Photo: Business Wire)

Temple hopping with Good Fortune Hong Kong: Thailand groups visiting Wong Tai Sin Temple for a cultural immersion. (Photo: Business Wire)