Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1096207
Destination Hong Kong 38 MAR-APR 2019 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM Hong Kong celebrated 11.4% growth in visitor arrivals to 65.1 million in 2018, with an impressive 14.8% rise in mainland Chinese to just over 51 million. In fact, the city has seen a 2.1% year-on- year growth in overnight MICE arrivals, with close to two million overnight visitors in total. Hospitality boom A state-of-the-art sound and light show, with a dash of magic, accompanied the recent 2019 Hong Kong Top MICE Agent Awards, which was held at Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel's 1,200sqm Grand Ballroom (the largest pillar-less ballroom on Hong Kong Island). The new property hosted over 70 travel agents invited by Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Meetings & Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) from over five key source markets, including mainland China, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia and India. Numerous function spaces, as well as two unique alfresco venues, make up the property's MICE facilities, but it is the direct link to Hong Kong's popular marine-life-themed Ocean Park that sets Shiny new infrastructure, luxury hotel brand openings with stellar MICE facilities, must-see new attractions and energising tours make Hong Kong one of Asia's most exciting MICE destinations. WORDS CATHARINE NICOL Hong Kong's new groove it apart. With Waterworld to open later this year, the location will continue to be popular with MICE groups, as well as families and leisure guests. A few minutes away by MTR in Wanchai, the finishing touches are being put to The St Regis Hong Kong. The luxury brand has chosen the 129-room property (the 45th in the St Regis family) to launch their refreshed brand DNA. "It's hugely important for the St Regis brand to open in Hong Kong, being such a gateway city," says general manager Derek Flint. "This will be a halo hotel for the group. We are redefining the St Regis legacy — smaller room count, more food and beverage outlets, as well as great meeting places — and if we do this successfully it will be the blueprint for St Regis properties in the future." Over 1,000sqm of meeting space encompasses two ballrooms, best suited to high-profile social events and boardroom meetings for CEO and CFO guests, he forecasts. As of 2018, Hong Kong was home to 300 hotels (83,734 rooms) with predictions of 326 hotels and over 90,000 rooms as of 2020. The 413-room Rosewood Hong Kong on the Kowloon waterfront will open this March as part of the Victoria Dockside arts, culture and shopping district. Their 11 event spaces, making up 3,200sqm, include the Grand and Junior Ballrooms, seven meeting rooms, two outdoor venues, the alfresco lawn, as well as the Hospitality Suite with private terrace. Disneyland Hong Kong's Theatre in the Wild was the venue of choice for Chuan Lian's gala evening.