Hong Kong Tourism Board introduces cruise products for corporate groups, from dining to teambuilding and entertainment at sea.
With meetings and incentives the fastest-growing segments in the city’s MICE sector, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has more than doubled its selection of activities and experiences in its digital incentive resource, and added new “Cruise” and “Empowerment” categories.
Driving the high-value MICE sector
In 2024, Hong Kong welcomed over 1.2 million overnight MICE visitors whose average spending per capita reached US$1,000, contributing over US$1.4 billion to the Hong Kong economy.
“[This is] a clear testament to the high-value impact of business events,” Anthony Lau, executive director of HKTB, related at a recent event that gathered 300 agents and industry partners from across Asia.
“Within the sector, the meeting and incentive segment are the fastest-growing segments, surpassing the pre-pandemic level by close to 10%.”
HKTB’s Anthony Lau: Meetings and incentives are driving Hong Kong’s MICE sector.A curated digital resource
Contributing significantly to the expansion of Hong Kong’s meeting and incentives sector is the diversity of offerings that capture the city’s essence and vibrant spirit.
Last year, HKTB curated and categorised these offerings into the Hong Kong Incentive Playbook – a comprehensive digital guide designed specifically for MICE groups. This resource featured over 100 immersive, tailor-made activities that showcase Hong Kong’s dynamic arts scene, nature and wellness retreats, hidden neighbourhood gems, lively nightlife, and signature traditions.
Through this playbook, agents were able to customise MICE itineraries that featured quintessential Hong Kong experiences such as Chinese ink painting, mahjong tile carving, rope weaving, heritage trail hikes, and many more.
Related: 5 powerful incentive travel trends you need to know
Enter 2.0
Building on its success, HKTB has unveiled the Hong Kong Incentive Playbook 2.0. This updated version expands the guide’s offerings to more than 200 curated experiences, giving travel agents and event planners even more options to craft memorable programmes for clients.
Fresh experiences include activities such as fencing workshops and tours of grand auction houses and iconic movie sets.
Two new themes, Cruise and Empowerment, have also been added, broadening the playbook’s scope to include even more ways to engage and inspire delegates.
The Cruise theme plays up Hong Kong’s reputation as “Asia’s Cruise Hub”, offering all-in-one meeting solutions aboard luxury vessels departing from iconic ports such as Ocean Terminal and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Imagine hosting a conference, team-building activities, or a gala dinner while sailing through Victoria Harbour with stunning views of the city skyline.
Empowerment focuses on inspiring delegates through exclusive access to Hong Kong institutions, from the city’s top universities to finance and tech organisations. Incentive groups can enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX), or participate in insightful sessions with leaders at Cyberport and Science Park – perfect for meetings or incentive groups looking to learn, innovate, and grow together.