Business event players in Guangzhou – part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) – are spirited about 2020 prospects as Terminal 2 of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport opens, making the lucrative Chinese city even more accessible to international investors and businesses.
Recent accessibility improvements for Guangzhou include the High Speed Rail Hongkong-Guangzhou South section which opened in 2018 and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
Hongkong-based Pacific World Meetings & Events Hong Kong, which has seen stronger client interest in GBA, is now looking to intensify its presence in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Business development manager, Dwirt J Ang, said: “The increased visibility of the region (GBA) has brought about more opportunities.”
The soon-to-open Rosewood Guangzhou will be positioned for business travellers, especially those arriving for conventions and incentive tours.
A hotel spokesperson said: “The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will inject new energy into Guangdong’s economy. City investments will continue to be positive due to government backing, infrastructural support and regional economic development. Guangzhou will provide more future opportunities for sectors including financial services, capital markets and technology. The convenient access to major transport hubs – for example, the airport and high-speed train station are just 45 minutes away – will bring more transient (business travellers) and meeting, conference, exhibition and trade events.
“The visa exemption policy for foreign travellers will also encourage greater participation in trade fairs.”
Rosewood Guangzhou is expected to stand out for event planners as it is “the only hotel in the city with elevated outdoor spaces as well as terraces offered as unique event venues”, said the spokesperson.
Agreeing that GBA’s attractive business environment is a bigger draw than the ease of access, Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou’s director of sales and marketing, Anthony Yeung, has also expressed strong business confidence for 2020.
Yeung expects to see more business chamber events and corporate meetings booking into his hotel in the coming year.
To attract clients, Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou will be launching at the end of this year meeting packages with a wellness theme.
“It’s trendy, and we can combine fitness, wellness cuisine and spa with customised services to generate more business,” he added.
Chimelong Group, which operates theme parks and attractions in Guangzhou’s Panyu and Zhuhai’s Henqin, is expecting a double-digit percentage growth in its MICE business for 4Q2019 over 4Q2018.
The company launched its first self-directed official drama show this summer while its second aquarium, Marine Science Park and Marine Science Hotel at Ocean Kingdom, is slated to open between 4Q2019 and 1Q2020.
