'Thematic conferences key to boost business travel,' says HK's finance chief

Thematic conferences and mega events can better engage business travellers when they take part in a series of work meetings in Hong Kong, said the city’s finance chief Paul Chan.  

Chan said in his weekly blog on Sunday that a wide range of mega events in the coming months would bring more purchasing power and create more economic value by leveraging the opportunities brought by business travellers. 

Chan said that business travellers might consider extending their stay with family in the city, resulting in an increase in foot traffic and consumption demands during mega-events. 

Taking the 9th Belt and Road Summit set to take place from Wednesday to Thursday as an example, Chan said around 6,000 participants from over 70 regions would be attending and boosting Hong Kong's business travel.  

He believes the upcoming events, which feature sports, culture, and food, will elevate business travellers' experiences and benefit the city’s economic growth. The government intends to enhance the promotion of these events to yield broader benefits, he added. 

Don't miss: HK welcomes 40 Chinese tourism representatives for in-depth exploration

Hong Kong has been emphasising on boosting local tourism after the pandemic. Most recently, the city welcomed around 40 tourism representatives from eight mainland cities for an in-depth exploration of Hong Kong, with the tourism chief Kevin Yeung saying their trip could bring in more tourists to the city.  

The group arrived on Sunday on a five-day, four-night itinerary and will visit various tourists attractions in Hong Kong including Central Market, Tai Kwun, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+. 

This came as part of the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme which looks to cover eight more mainland cities, including Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan and Urumqi. Visitors from these regions will be allowed from 3 June to visit Hong Kong as solo travellers without needing to join a tour group.  

Speaking during a media briefing when he visited the visitor centres of the Hong Kong Tourism Board located at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Hong Kong International Airport, Yeung said the government hopes that they would bring this fruitful and high-quality travel experience back to the eight cities for sharing with and promoting amongst the local residents. "This will enhance the two-way tourism exchange between the eight cities and Hong Kong," he added.

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