The Hong Kong Tourism Board has intensified efforts to boost the meeting and incentive market by organising the largest-ever trade fam trip for some 110 incentive travel trade representatives from Asia Pacific last week.
Trade partners from China (which had the largest delegation), Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, and India gathered in Hong Kong for a 4D3N trip filled with immersive tourism experiences.
HKTB’s executive director, Dane Cheng, said, “Travel arrangements like incentive tours are demanding and difficult to arrange. We hope to show the diversity of activities that can add value to their visits, such as art jamming, bar experiences, and food tours.”
Deputy general manager of Hangzhou OTC Travel International, Feng Yi-bo, was one of the agents who were seeking something new for his clientele. He expressed interest in including the West Kowloon Cultural District in future itineraries for his clients, and was excited to experience 11 SKIES – billed as Hong Kong’s largest hub for retail, dining and entertainment – stating that it would suit his market.
President of Philippines-based Ark Travel Express, Maria Paz Alberto, noted that the short flying time to Hong Kong has attracted many incentive groups post-pandemic.
She shared that she had an incentive group of 50 visiting Hong Kong soon, and she would recommend to them to experience Hong Kong’s bar culture, as well as include the Chinese fan painting workshop as a suitable activity for the incentive group.
One of the highlights of the 4D3N fam included the launch of a new campaign, Hong Kong Incentive Playbook: Up the Game for Your Team, at The Regent Hong Kong on April 24.
The Hong Kong Incentive Playbook covers over 100 new and unique incentive ideas under five themes: Arts & Culture, Wellness & Nature, Neighbourhoods”, Nightlife & Parties, and Hong Kong Signatures. Experiences ranged from traditional Tai Chi classes and kayaking to local pastry-baking workshops and temple pilgrimages.
In 2023, Hong Kong welcomed over 1.3 million MICE visitors, with the Meeting and Incentive (M&I) segment accounting for a staggering 65 per cent.
