Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » Hong Kong and Macao Set to Dominate 2026 MICE Industry: Ambitious Plans to Boost Global Business Events! Published on
December 29, 2025The business events sector in the Greater Bay Area continues to grow at an impressive rate, with both Hong Kong and Macao remaining optimistic about the future. The Greater Bay Area initiative, which is a collaborative effort by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Macao Government Tourism Office, and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, aims to enhance both business and tourism in the region. This initiative is seeing continuous development, with authorities not resting on their achievements and continuing to make strides to position the area as a key player in the global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector.The latest update on the region’s progress reveals a strong commitment to making the area more accessible and appealing to business travelers. The initiative is working towards transforming the Greater Bay Area into an attractive hub for international business events, further boosted by the opening of new event venues, improved infrastructure, and expanding transport links.Advertisement Growing Infrastructure and New DevelopmentsThe infrastructure developments within the Greater Bay Area are making considerable headway, with Hong Kong leading the charge. The new Kai Tak Stadium, built on the former site of Hong Kong’s old airport, is one of the standout additions to the region. With a capacity of 50,000, this venue, which opened in March 2025, is already booking events until 2027, showing a growing demand for large-scale business events in the area.Accompanying this, new hotel openings, such as the Kimpton in September 2025, and the upcoming opening of the Mandarin Oriental at the end of 2026, are helping to enhance the luxury and accessibility of accommodations for business travelers. These new developments reflect a broader trend of enhancing the region’s ability to host world-class events, ensuring that there are more spaces available for business gatherings.Enhanced Transport Connectivity Across the RegionThe transport infrastructure improvements within the Greater Bay Area are also playing a crucial role in boosting the region’s appeal to the MICE industry. With the third runway now operational at Hong Kong International Airport, the airport has expanded its capacity, facilitating smoother international travel. Additionally, high-speed rail links have been established, and road networks have been enhanced, all of which have improved connectivity between Hong Kong, Macao, and the nine cities of Guangdong Province, which include Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing.These improvements are designed to make travel between cities quicker and easier, which will, in turn, increase the region’s appeal as a business events hub. The upgraded infrastructure ensures that the Greater Bay Area can offer enhanced accessibility, making it an ideal destination for international MICE events.Advertisement Hong Kong’s Strategy for Growth in 2026The progress being made in the region was highlighted by Becky Ip, the deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, who provided an update on the plans for 2026. According to Ip, Hong Kong has continuously been working to upgrade its infrastructure to meet the growing demands of business travelers. Notable projects include the development of AsiaWorld-Expo, which is set to be a premier location for conventions and exhibitions. Additionally, Airport City is scheduled to open in two years, further enhancing the region’s capabilities for hosting business events.In 2025, Hong Kong hosted more than 160 conventions and exhibitions, showcasing its sta …
