Hong Kong has set its sights on becoming Asia’s premier events capital, as underscored by the chief executive’s previous Policy Address and continued government investments in the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund. The establishment of a high-level Mega Events Coordination Group, chaired by the deputy financial secretary, and active promotional efforts by the Hong Kong Tourism Board further demonstrate the city’s ambitions.
High-ranking officials have also emphasized the importance of creativity, innovation, and collaboration to create memorable experiences for both residents and visitors. However, to achieve this lofty goal, Hong Kong must address the critical gaps with competitors in both infrastructure (hardware) and execution (software) to demonstrate the city’s attractiveness to global event organizers and play catch-up with its regional competitors.
According to the 2024 International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rankings, Singapore is the Asia-Pacific leader, ranking third globally in hosting ICCA-recognized meetings. In contrast, Hong Kong is ranked 20th, trailing behind other Asian cities like Bangkok and Seoul. The ICCA ranks destinations based on the number of eligible international MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions/events) events held annually.
On the hardware front, Hong Kong is making progress. The opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park earlier this year, featuring a 50,000-seat stadium and multipurpose facilities, marks a significant milestone. Plans for the expansion of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Skytopia vision for AsiaWorld-Expo also signal a commitment to future capacity growth. However, these developments will take years to materialize. Until then, Hong Kong remains constrained by limited venue capacity, putting the city at a disadvantage compared to competitors with well-established large-scale facilities.
The software gap, which involves the integration of services by regulators and the professionalism of event managers, is another major consideration for global event organizers when selecting destinations. A shortage of talent in the MICE sector compounds the problem, as many industry professionals switched careers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and educational institutions are not producing graduates quickly enough to fill the gap. Several recent events fell short of public expectations, exposing the need for improvement.
To truly establish itself as Asia’s event capital, Hong Kong must go beyond infrastructure investment by fostering a culture of collaboration and professionalism in event management. Only then can it compete with regional leaders and deliver world-class experiences
For example, earlier this year, the Snooker World Grand Prix at Kai Tak Arena made international headlines when spectators were asked to leave before midnight because of curfew restrictions. Such an incident is harmful to Hong Kong’s image as a reliable host for mega events. More recently, the AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest Hong Kong revealed further deficiencies. Despite months of preparation, the organizer failed to address regulatory concerns and manage public expectations effectively. This resulted in widespread disappointment, negative media coverage, and reputational damage — not only for the organizer but also for Hong Kong as a mega events destination.
While regulators should under no circumstances compromise on public safety, they must provide clear, actionable guidelines for organizers to meet the requirements of the Temporary Public Place Entertainment (TPPE) licensing process. It is understood that agencies like the police, the fire services, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, and the Civil Aviation Department are not tasked with promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s events capital. However, the way they handle TPPE applications has an indirect but significant impact on Hong Kong’s reputation as an event-friendly city. To address this, Hong Kong should establish a dedicated mega event office to provide one-stop services for event organizers, particularly those from abroad. This office should not only act as a facilitator for navigating local implementation and licensing issues but also work closely with industry stakeholders to enhance the professionalism of event practitioners.
Event organizers must take greater ownership of their responsibilities. If there is a genuine risk that TPPE approval might not be granted, or be allowed but with substantial restrictions, this should be factored into event planning and communicated efficiently and transparently to the public. The balloon festival fiasco serves as a cautionary tale. According to Joey Chan Pui-kwan, chief operating officer of the event: “We knew there would be challenges for an event never before attempted in Hong Kong … but after years of discussions with the government, we worked hard to meet every requirement.”
This quote serves as a clear testament that the organizer was well aware of the licensing risk, yet the absence of a contingency plan is unacceptable and represents a fundamental failure in an event manager’s duty of care. The failure to anticipate restrictions on the TPPE application and set realistic expectations could have harmed Hong Kong’s reputation as an events hub. The organizer’s poor management and inadequate communication highlighted a lack of professionalism, inevitably leading to widespread criticism and complaints. Furthermore, selling tickets despite knowing that the passenger-carrying option was not feasible was both irresponsible and potentially in violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
Such incidents are bound to catch the attention of global event organizers, ultimately impacting Hong Kong’s future ICCA ranking. To truly establish itself as Asia’s event capital, Hong Kong must go beyond infrastructure investment by fostering a culture of collaboration and professionalism in event management. Only then can it compete with regional leaders and deliver world-class experiences.
The author is a senior lecturer in the Department of Marketing, the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
