Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ19: Promoting staging of international convention and exhibition activities in Hong Kong
| These C&E events have attracted numerous participants (including exhibitors and buyers), not only benefitting the C&E industry but also bringing in high-spending business travellers that drive economic activities in such related sectors as accommodation, catering, retail and entertainment, thereby benefitting various industries and bringing important contributions to Hong Kong’s economy. According to the statistics of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, there were about 1.42 million overnight C&E visitors in 2024 and their per capita spending was about $7,800. In 2025, it is estimated that the HKCEC and the AWE will organise over 140 conventions and 180 exhibitions in total, including large-scale international exhibitions and conferences such as Art Basel Hong Kong 2025, Routes World 2025 and the Asia Financial Forum. In view of the contribution of C&E events to Hong Kong’s overall economy, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government launched the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE) in July 2023 which was very well received. As announced in the 2024 Policy Address, the HKSAR Government would allocate an additional provision of $500 million for implementing the ISRE 2.0, subsidising venue rentals of eligible exhibitions organised by private organisers at specified venues (including the Central Harbourfront Event Space and relevant parts of the West Kowloon Cultural District which are newly included in the ISRE 2.0, apart from the HKCEC and the AWE). The ISRE 2.0 will focus on attracting new and recurrent international exhibitions of a large scale to further promote the development of the C&E industry and the mega event economy, thereby generating overall economic benefits for Hong Kong. The ISRE 2.0 will be launched on July 1 this year subject to the Legislative Council’s funding approval. Hong Kong is the world’s 10th largest trading entity in merchandise trade and has developed into the region’s premier C&E hub. The international large-scale C&E events held here will help enhance Hong Kong’s image as an international C&E hub, foster overall economic development and trade, and promote Hong Kong’s brands in various industries to assist Hong Kong enterprises in tapping the Mainland and international markets, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an international trade centre and fully demonstrating our role as the “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Mainland and the rest of the world. The HKSAR Government will continue to promote the development of the C&E industry and attract more international large-scale C&E events to be staged in Hong Kong. Issued at HKT 17:40 NNNN |