Hong Kong’s buzzing MICE scene is back with a bang! In 2024, the city welcomed a whopping 1.42 million overnight visitors for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE)—that’s a solid 10% jump from 2023 and 80% of pre-pandemic highs. And guess who’s leading the charge? India! Indian arrivals skyrocketed by over 70% this year compared to last, and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is gunning to double those numbers to beat pre-Covid levels.
Riding this wave of excitement from the Indian market, HKTB just wrapped up two powerhouse familiarization (FAM) tours. These trips spotlighted Hong Kong as the ultimate MICE destination for Indian businesses, flaunting its cutting-edge infrastructure, thrilling incentive perks, and brand-new attractions. “These moves lock in Hong Kong’s spot as Asia’s top hub for business events,” says Puneet Kumar, HKTB’s Director for South Asia. He points out that India ranks among the top five markets for incentive group travel and is one of Hong Kong’s fastest-growing MICE spots. Indian companies are lining up to host events here, thanks to the city’s world-class setup, one-of-a-kind experiences, fun cruise options, and more than 200 mega events every year. From massive incentive programs to tailored corporate gatherings, Hong Kong’s got it all. Kumar adds that India is a key growth engine, and HKTB is eager to team up deeper with its MICE players.
First up was the “Next Stop: Hong Kong – Corporate Buyers Familiarization Tour” from June 8 to 11, 2025. It brought in senior execs from eight top Indian corporations, whose feedback raved about Hong Kong’s vibrant culture, friendly vibes, and cool blend of cruises and land adventures—making it a go-to for incentives. These firms pack serious punch, handling annual incentive groups from 400 to over 4,000 people.
Tour highlights kept everyone hooked:
– Site visits to swanky spots like Kerry Hotel Hong Kong, Kowloon Shangri-La, and the HKIA VIP Lounge.
– A taste of “East Meets West” with the 2025 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races and a thrilling twilight race at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Sha Tin Racecourse.
– Yacht vibes on an Aqua Luna Evening Harbour Cruise and a yacht trip from Tsim Sha Tsui to Discovery Bay.
– Iconic adventures like The Peak with Sky Terrace 428 and the Peak Tram, plus the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car and a stroll through Ngong Ping Village.
– Non-stop fun at Water World Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland, including a peek at the World of Frozen and VIP seats for the dazzling Momentous nighttime show.
– Hands-on team builders like a DFS fragrance workshop and a relaxing Tai Chi session, showing off customizable experiences for incentive groups.
The second tour, “All Aboard! Hong Kong MICE – Cruise Familiarization Tour,” ran from July 16 to 21, 2025. Tailored for top travel agents from Indian hotspots like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad—who specialize in meetings and incentives—it highlighted Hong Kong’s fresh infrastructure, hot developments, and rising star as a cruise hotspot.
Participants dove into gems like the West Kowloon Cultural District, with its M+ museum and Xiqu Centre. They hopped on a two-night cruise from Hong Kong on the Star Voyager by StarDream Cruises, mixing chill time with onboard cocktails, themed dinners, entertainment shows, a Caribbean pool party, and tours tailored for the Indian market. On land, they stayed at top Marriott hotels, caught an electric evening derby at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Happy Valley Racecourse, rode the party tram through old and new Hong Kong, hit The Peak Tram, met the adorable new twin pandas at Ocean Park Hong Kong, and snagged VIP views of Momentous at Disneyland.
These tours show HKTB’s all-in push to win over the Indian MICE crowd. They offered deep dives into incentive perks for groups of 20 to 400+, plus in-town rewards. HKTB even rolled out its Hong Kong Incentive Playbook—a treasure trove of over 100 curated experiences and 40+ team-building ideas spanning arts, culture, nightlife, entertainment, and wellness. It helps agents craft unforgettable trips.
Looking ahead, Kumar shares that Indian MICE visitors to Hong Kong jumped double digits year-on-year in 2025. From January to August alone, 262,000 Indians arrived across segments, including MICE. “With India as one of our quickest-growing MICE markets, we’re mixing up more experiences to keep Hong Kong at the top of the list,” he says.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) works to promote the city as a must-visit spot worldwide, boost visitor experiences, and advise on top-notch facilities. Its goal? Amp up tourism’s benefits for Hong Kong while cementing its status as a world-class destination.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
