ENG-2012 — Page 315

Chapter 15

Travel and Tourism

Hong Kong continues to be a magnet to visitors from around the world, with its many attractions appealing to a wide range of interests. Whether sampling Hong Kong's many restaurants and shops, visiting museums and galleries, hiking in a country park, or attending a major sporting or cultural event, there is something for every visitor to enjoy.

Hong Kong registered a record high of 48.62 million visitor arrivals in 2012, an increase of 16 per cent over 2011. Mainland visitors reached 34.91 million in 2012 and continued to be the largest source of visitors to Hong Kong, 24.2 per cent up over 2011. There was also a notable rise in the number of visitors from countries farther away like Russia (plus 41.8 per cent) and, nearer home, the Philippines (plus 7.6 per cent) and South Korea (plus 5.6 per cent).

Major Tourism Developments

While work on boosting family and business travels continued, special efforts were made to promote MICE ('Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions'), cruise tourism, mega events and 'green tourism,

MICE

Hong Kong is a premier MICE destination, offering world-class convention and exhibition facilities and a wide range of tourist attractions. The 'Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong' (MEHK), a dedicated office established under the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), is tasked to promote MICE tourism for Hong Kong.

There were 1.61 million overnight MICE visitors to Hong Kong in 2012, a rise of 2.8 per cent over 2011. Hong Kong was selected as the 'Best Business City in the World' by a leading MICE journal for the fourth consecutive year. Hong Kong hosts some of the world's largest trade fairs, such as the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, the Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair, and the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair.

Major conventions and exhibitions held in Hong Kong during the year included NuSkin Regional Convention, FDI Annual World Dental Congress, Vinexpo Asia-Pacific, Asia Contemporary Art Show, Asian Attraction Expo, JCI Asia-Pacific Conference, Hong Kong

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