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47 MAY-JUN 2019 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM unique land meeting inspirations and sea oerings, we have been positioning cruise as one of our key MICE experiences. Not many destinations can oer the same, so it certainly adds to our novelty," he said. A large part of their strategy is through educating the trade, and this is done via agent familiarisation trips which HKTB organises, shared Wong. Last year, they brought in 70 top MICE agents from the region to learn about meetings on cruise during their annual Top MICE Agent Awards event. The tourism board also works with regional cruise liners such as Dream Cruises to oer trade briengs and guided ship tours for agents, because getting them onboard is key to understanding the industry's potential. HKTB also invites the cruise lines to attend relevant trade shows like IT&CM China to showcase how cruise can be an exciting MICE experience, he said. For MICE cruise groups who stay at least one night on land, in addition to a cruise trip that starts in Hong Kong, they are eligible for the perks under its hospitality scheme, 'Hong Kong Rewards!' FACILITATORS OF A GREAT EXPERIENCE Beyond providing education and incentives to get planners familiar with the product and out of their comfort zones, it is essential to look at ways to enhance the cruise experience, which goes beyond the connes of a ship. This is where terminal operators come in as they can help facilitate a seamless experience that ultimately determines attendee satisfaction. "While cruise meetings and incentives are usually negotiated between the planners and cruise lines, we work closely with both parties to ensure their pre- and post-cruise experience meet the MICE group's expectations," said Lionel Wong, CEO of SATS-Creuers Cruise Services, which operates Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS). Besides dedicating spaces for registration, check-in, early embarkation, meet-and-greet activities, special guests, and the loading of materials through the wharf area to be used on board, MBCCS oers the region's rst sea-to-air baggage transfer service, CruiseFly, which benets their cruise passengers who are departing Hong Kong's Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. "MICE and cruise tourism are both big parts of HKTB's strategic initiatives for boosting Hong Kong's overall tourism growth. As Hong Kong has in store both unique land meeting inspirations and sea o•erings, we have been positioning cruise as one of our key MICE experiences. Not many destinations can o•er the same, so it certainly adds to our novelty." KENNETH WONG, GENERAL MANAGER, MICE & CRUISE, HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD