China News Service, Hong Kong, February 19 (Reporter Dai Menglan) Yau Ying-wa, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government, said in Hong Kong on the 19th that the recovery progress of Hong Kong's convention and exhibition industry last year was better than expected and has returned to 70% to 80% of the level before the epidemic. ; Looking forward to Hong Kong’s convention and exhibition industry recovering or even exceeding pre-epidemic levels this year.
The picture shows Qiu Yinghua (second from left), Hong Kong Trade Development Council Chairman Lam Kin-yuk (second from right), Hong Kong Trade Development Council President Fong Shun-man (first from right), and Deputy Secretary-General of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government Huang Zongyin (first from left) attending the press conference. Photo by China News Service reporter Chen Yongnuo
The Hong Kong SAR Government held a press conference on "Promoting Large-Scale Conventions and Exhibitions" that day. At the press conference, Qiu Yinghua introduced the SAR Government's work in promoting the holding of large-scale conferences and exhibitions in Hong Kong this year to promote the economic development of major events.
Qiu Yinghua said that in addition to benefiting the convention and exhibition industry from large-scale international conferences and exhibitions, the arrival of high-spending business travelers will also drive economic activities in other industries such as accommodation, catering, retail, and entertainment. According to industry surveys, in 2018, the convention and exhibition industry contributed HK$58.6 billion to Hong Kong's economy, equivalent to 2.1% of the GDP, and created approximately 77,000 full-time jobs. In 2019, Hong Kong attracted 1.69 million overnight visitors for conferences, exhibitions and incentive travel. Their per capita spending was approximately HK$7,200, which was 23% higher than the per capita spending of overnight visitors as a whole.
The picture shows Qiu Yinghua (second from left), Hong Kong Trade Development Council Chairman Lam Kin-yuk (second from right), Hong Kong Trade Development Council President Fong Shun-man (first from right), and Deputy Secretary-General of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government Huang Zongyin (first from left) attending the press conference. Photo by China News Service reporter Chen Yongnuo
He said that this year, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center and AsiaExpo are expected to hold at least 150 conferences and 160 exhibitions in total. Currently, some large-scale exhibitions that were moved to other cities around the world during the epidemic will return to Hong Kong. For example, the two major fashion industry procurement platforms, "Asia Pacific Leather and Fashion Materials Exhibition" and "Fashion Collection", will return to Hong Kong from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in March.
The picture shows the press conference scene. Photo by China News Service reporter Chen Yongnuo
In addition, there are also some new exhibitions and events that will debut in Hong Kong for the first time, including the world's largest Korean trend culture event "KCON", the largest pop culture and fashion exhibition in the United States "ComplexCon", and the shipping and air freight industry event "Super Terminal Expo" , will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo. These exhibitions and events are held for the first time in Greater China and even Asia, reflecting the advantages of Hong Kong's convention and exhibition industry. (over)