Reaching new heights

Hong Kong’s celebrated status as one of the world’s great business cities has been earned through a combination of key strengths. Its position as a major gateway to Mainland China, its appeal as an international financial hub, with visa-free entry, low tax rates and zero customs tariffs, as well as its diversified experiences all combine to make it a must-visit destination for both business and leisure travellers.

Now, the city is evolving with advanced transportation infrastructure, upgraded event venues, revitalised spaces and enhanced attractions, making Hong Kong even more appealing than before.

In recent years, Hong Kong has enhanced its cross-boundary bridge and rail connectivity to capture the growing demand for business events. Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, the longest of its kind in the world, substantially cuts the travel time between Hong Kong, Macao and Zhuhai, while further connecting Hong Kong to major cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). With direct links to 66 stations across Mainland China, the High Speed Rail improves commuting between Hong Kong and the Mainland’s biggest consumer cities with its greater capacity and higher frequency.

These state-of-the-art infrastructures position Hong Kong as a one-of-a-kind gateway between Hong Kong, the GBA, Mainland China and the rest ofthe world.

Staying ahead of the curve to capture the growing opportunities in the region, Hong Kong is revealing a host of new developments designed to transform a city’s airport into an Airport City. Hong Kong International Airport continues to upgrade and improve its already world-class facilities with its Three-runway System project. When the expansion of Terminal 2 finishes in 2024, the airport will be able to handle 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually, further enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub.

Under the Airport City master plan, the integrated commercial development project of the SkyCity complex is now also home to the enormous new 11 SKIES retail, dining and entertainment hub – Hong Kong’s largest. This unique “ecosystem” will redefine the traveller and consumer experience in the GBA as it opens in phases from 2022 to 2025.

Next to the airport, AsiaWorld-Expo’s HK$600-million five-year (2021-2026) renovation project includes improvements to the facilities, and technology and network advancements, whilst a further expansion (Phase 2) will house Hong Kong’s largest indoor multipurpose performance arena with over 20,000 seats. Another signature convention centre in the city, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, also has a five-year advancement plan with a target to complete in early 2024 that will cater to growing demand for major events.

Meanwhile, on the site of the old Kai Tak airport, the new Kai Tak Sports Park is a fully integrated, multipurpose sports venue that can also accommodate business events with a total capacity of 65,000, expecting to complete construction by 2024.

Hong Kong prides itself on its numerous world-class tourism and cultural sites, from theme parks to outstanding landmarks. Recent years have seen both brand-new and renovated heritage buildings adding to the list of attractions – all fascinating to visit and many filled with potential for MICE events.

On Kowloon side, the acclaimed West Kowloon Cultural District is Hong Kong’s flagship art quarter and one of the world’s largest cultural centres. Its two superb museums enhance the city’s position as one of the world’s leading arts and cultural hubs: the modernist concrete edifice of M+ is Asia’s first contemporary visual art museum, whilst nearby the equally impressive Hong Kong Palace Museum contains the largest-ever collection of art loaned from the Beijing Palace Museum.

Cross Victoria Harbour to Central district and you’ll find a number of heritage buildings have been revitalised to create unique meeting and entertainment venues that ooze an East-meets-West atmosphere.

Central Market, the first wet market in Hong Kong, has been turned into a shopping and dining hub, whilst just up the Central Escalator Tai Kwun, the former Central Police Station, Magistracy and Victoria Prison, has been revitalised as a cultural haven and attractive meeting spot in the heart of the downtown action. Also nearby is PMQ, the former Police Married Quarters that has been transformed into a modern creative arts hub.

Over on Lantau Island, Hong Kong Disneyland is always looking for ways to stay fresh and appealing. It has a new Castle of Magical Dreams boasting the daytime show ‘Follow Your Dreams’ and night-time spectacular ‘Momentous’, and a new Frozen-themed area will be launched in November. Disney’s Hollywood Hotel is also set to reopen on July 14, 2023.

Not to be outdone, on Hong Kong Island’s Southside Ocean Park has opened Water World – Asia’s first and only year-round, all-weather seaside water park – while two new hotels also enhance Ocean Park’s appeal: Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel, and The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong, the luxury hotel group’s only resort property.

To learn more about Hong Kong’s expanding treasure trove of new offerings, visit mehongkong.com.