ENG-2009 — Page 366

294 Travel and Tourism

exhibition facilities and diversified tourism offerings, Hong Kong is a preferred venue for MICE events. In April 2009, the atrium link expansion of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre was completed, providing 42 per cent additional exhibition space.

In 2009, MICE events brought about 1.16 million overnight visitors to the city. Major MICE events held in 2009 included Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress 2009, CineAsia 2009, Sino-International Freight Forwarders Conference, Swift International Banking Operations Seminar and World Health Organisation Western Pacific Regional Committee Meeting. Many of them were held in Asia for the first time.

In his 2008-09 Budget, the Financial Secretary earmarked $150 million over five years to promote MICE tourism. A dedicated office 'Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong' (MEHK) was established under the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to provide one-stop services for organisers of MICE events and strengthen promotion in order to attract more MICE events to Hong Kong. Since its establishment, the MEHK office provided support for 1 090 MICE events.

Cruise Tourism

Work is pressing ahead on a new cruise terminal at Kai Tak. Construction began in December, and the first berth will commence operation in mid-2013. The Government is also working with the Advisory Committee on Cruise Industry on issues such as itinerary development, promotion and manpower training to develop Hong Kong as a leading regional cruise hub. To strengthen connections with neighbouring coastal provinces and provide an information exchange platform for development of cruise itineraries, the HKTB launched a dedicated website, 'Cruise South China' in early 2009. The website features information on berthing facilities as well as tourist attractions in Hong Kong and neighbouring provinces, including Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. It also facilitates the development by cruise operators of itineraries and associated land excursions.

In April, the Central Government announced a new initiative allowing Mainland tour groups to travel to Taiwan on cruise vessels home-porting in Hong Kong. The first such sailing was launched on August 2. New cruise products capitalising on this measure are being launched to further Hong Kong's position as a leading regional cruise hub.

Mega Events

Mega events enrich visitors' experience of Hong Kong. Every year, a number of popular events such as the Rugby Sevens and Hong Kong Marathon are held in the city. In 2009, Hong Kong hosted the East Asian Games during which total visitor arrivals amounted to over 1.1 million, representing a 5.7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2008. To further promote Hong Kong as an events capital of Asia, the Government set up a $100 million 'Mega Events Fund' in May 2009 to sponsor non-profit organisations in the staging of large-scale arts, cultural and sports events over a period of three years. Six events were approved for funding support in the first-round of applications. The first event, 'Symphony Under the