The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said last month it’ll hold 93 mega events in the first half of next year that could attract 840,000 tourists who’re expected to spend HK$3.3 billion ($423 million), contributing HK$1.8 billion to the local economy.
These highly anticipated events include the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit in March -- a flagship event in its third edition to cement the SAR’s status as a leading global asset and wealth management hub; Art Basel Hong Kong -- Asia’s largest contemporary art fair; ComplexCon Hong Kong -- the sophomore edition of the global streetwear and pop culture festival; the Hong Kong International Film and TVMarket; and Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.
As part of efforts to strengthen the city’s position as a center for cultural and artistic exchange, Hong Kong raised the curtain on the inaugural Hong Kong Fashion Design Week and the larger “Business of Design Week in the City” festival that included major design events, such as DesignInspire and the Design Factory in the past two weeks, Chan noted.
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One significant highlight was Maison&Objet, globally renowned for its prestigious trade shows from France, which joined hands with key design stakeholders from Hong Kong to make its debut in the city, Chan said.
He noted that M&O’s debut was the result of concerted efforts, tracing its origins to his visit to France last year, where he invited the largest design exhibiter in Europe to curate the design event in Hong Kong. This was followed by the participation of Hong Kong designers in M&O’s commemorative events in Paris in January and the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Hong Kong’s cultural and creative industries development agency and M&O for further collaboration.
“Known as a world-renowned financial, trade and shipping center, Hong Kong has long made its name as a magnate for talents worldwide seeking greener pastures. Specialized thematic exhibitions offer an ideal platform for business-to-project matchmaking and talent exchange,” Chan said.
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“Moreover, a diversity of creative content and cultural industry facilitates interpersonal understanding and interaction, and exchange of ideas and cultures. Combining both will help Hong Kong build a richer and better city brand, and reinforce its appeal to promising enterprises and finest minds.”
According to an earlier government estimate, Hong Kong would organize more than 100 mega events in the second half of 2024, paving the way for the city’s hosting of at least 210 mega events for the whole year.
