An increasing number of business travellers to Hong Kong who spend more and stay longer are providing a healthy boost to the tourism industry and the economy in general.

Last year, Hong Kong hosted 393,131 business travellers attending conventions and exhibitions – a 27 per cent increase on 2000, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) reports.

“Their average per capita spending of HK$11,317 (US$1,455) was more than twice that of visitors to Hong Kong as a whole, while their length of stay was nearly 60 per cent higher at 4.8 nights,” executive chairman Clara Chong said. “This clearly demonstrates the high yield nature of these visitors.”

Corporate meetings in 2001 showed an increase of 27 per cent and the trend looks set to continue, with Financial Secretary Antony Leung in his Budget Speech identifying business travel as one of four high-yield tourism market segments that should be further developed.

According to Michael Duck, senior vice-president of CMP Asia (formerly Miller Freeman), it’s easy to attract exhibition visitors when the host city is Hong Kong because the infrastructure is so conducive to doing business while at the same time having fun.

“Hong Kong is a great place to do business in an enjoyable environment, which is important in attracting business visitors from all over the world,” said Mr Duck.

“At the recent Asia-Pacific Leather Fair , where some 30,000 trade buyers did business with another 10,000 executives from 3,000-plus exhibitors, much business and the development of new contacts was carried out during the evening at receptions and a multitude of business dinners, and at working breakfasts.” Mr Duck is also a director of the APLF Ltd, organiser of the Leather Fair – a joint venture between the French organisation SIC Groupe and CMP Asia Ltd - and a former chairman of the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Organisers’ and Suppliers’ Association.

The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair (23-26 April) attracted more than 30,000 overseas business visitors bringing an additional HK$350 million (US$45 million) for Hong Kong, inclusive of orders.

He added that as China opens up with World Trade Organisation (WTO) accession, Hong Kong would remain the gateway to doing business in the mainland because of its business expertise in the area, which was especially attractive to European and North American companies.

“This is good news for Hong Kong because the exhibition and convention industry brings great opportunities for hotels, restaurants and the other highly developed service and logistical support industries available in Hong Kong.”

Said managing director Cliff Wallace: “The HKCEC is the envy of any city in the world soliciting meetings and exhibitions. The venue is world-class, state-of-the-art, clean, comfortable and safe. Its setting is extraordinary. Service is at a standard much better than the industry norm. We have a reputation for added value and we will strive to keep improving, especially with service standards, to maintain our competitive edge.”

The HKCEC will hold 85 major shows in the fiscal year ending June 30, and Mr Wallace said China’s WTO accession would further enhance its potential.