HONG KONG becoming Asia’s World-Class Medical Conventions Hub

Hong Kong 2016 Overview

• In 2016, global economy has remained challenging, and there are forecasts of uncertainty ahead, but Hong Kong has seen a steady growth in overnight MICE arrivals, which were up 4% year-on-year in the first three quarters in 2016, long haul markets like the U.S has done exceptionally well with a double digit growth with over 18% in terms of MICE arrivals.
• To succeed in the long term, Hong Kong has a couple of strategic focuses; medical is certainly one of the city’s strong suit. “In 2016, Hong Kong hosted a number of world-class medical and nursing conventions, which not only generated economic benefits for the city, but also provided an important forum for medical and industry experts to gather and exchange knowledge, experience and ideas, such as the 26th International Congress of The Transplantation Society, the 16th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, and the 38th Asia Pacific Dental Congress 2016,” says Kenneth Wong, general manager, of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s MICE & Cruise division.

Hong Kong – The World-class Medical Conventions Hub Hong Kong’s reputation for advanced medical developments and facilities continues to draw leading international bodies to its shores for their key scientific conventions. The Transplantation Society selected Hong Kong to celebrate its 50th anniversary by hosting the society’s 26th International Congress (TTS 2016) in the city from 18-23 August, closely followed by the 16th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (WCA) 2016 from 28 August to 2 September, proving Hong Kong is truly a medical hub for knowledge exchange among medical professionals from all over the world. The world’s largest medical convention on transplantation, TTS 2016 attracted over 2,800 leading surgeons and clinical professionals from around the globe, with a further 1,000 local attendees. This was the first time the biennial event was held in Hong Kong, with symposiums and exhibitions taking place in the spectacular Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on the harbourfront.

“Hong Kong has long been seen as a major gateway for Asian business. This is also true for medicine. Hong Kong has benefitted from its long history of medical education for more than 100 years and the first renal transplant was performed in 1969. This strong tradition in medicine and transplantation make Hong Kong an ideal location in Asia for this major convention.”

Philip J. O’Connell, 2016 TTS Congress Chair

  Also being held at HKCEC and in Hong Kong for the first time, WCA 2016 hosted over 6,000 international delegates covering a broad spectrum of anaesthesiology. Top specialists provided keynote lectures and scientific sessions that included problem-based learning discussions, workshops and networking opportunities. Hong Kong Tourism Board’s meetings flagship Meetings & Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) provided support from the early planning stage through to hospitality services for both events. Entertainment provided at social functions included a traditional lion dances, face-changing and sand painting to add elements of local culture and make the congresses even more memorable to participants. Other than these two high profile medical events, Hong Kong welcomed a number of other medical and nursing conventions in 2016, thanks to our strengths in association, world-class medical universities and professional local communities. All of the above are crucial when it comes to a successful medical convention to be staged in the city. On top of these unique qualities that Hong Kong can proudly offers its best as a premier MICE destination hosting the largest and most successful conventions; Hong Kong strategic location and its world-class infrastructure plays an important role to draw global events to the city. Hong Kong is strategically located in the centre of the world’s super-charged high growth economies and is also located in close proximity to China’s booming marketplace.  Recognized as the bridge that connects east and west, Hong Kong attracts the highest caliber of business professionals and serves as the perfect platform for experts to network and share their knowledge. Hong Kong is also Asia’s most connected city, operating about 1,100 flights per day from over 190 worldwide destinations.  The city also offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 150 countries, making it one of the most accessible destinations for overseas visitors.  Home to an extensive range of hotels, the metropolitan location can comfortably accommodate for the largest MICE events. Visitors can travel between hotels and key venues simply by foot or via the city’s advanced transportation network. Looking forward to 2017, Hong Kong will continue to play host to a number of major medical conventions that span across the medical spectrum including surgery, digestive system, hematology and more. These world-class medical events will once again bring together great minds and new ideas covering a diverse range of topics from the best cutting edge science to the forward-looking solutions. “As the meeting place with a long history in medical and professionals who strive for medical innovation, Hong Kong is a one-of-a-kind platform for hosting such large scale medical conventions,” said Bill Flora, the U.S. Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. “We look forward to working with more international organizations and welcoming their guests with open arms to “Asia’s World City for a fruitful exchange and interaction.”