Hong Kong’s Exhibition Industry reports Strong Growth in 2007

On Tuesday, the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) released the results of its annual exhibition survey 2007. Building on the strong growth spurt in 2006, 2007 saw sustained and consolidated growth in visitor numbers across the board as Hong Kong reaffirmed its position as one of Asia’s prime exhibition destinations.

Overall, the survey reveals that visitor numbers (Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals) continued to record strong growth in 2007, particularly from Mainland China. The number of people visiting from overseas also registered double-digit growth, underscoring Hong Kong’s popularity with buyers and visitors from around the world.

Key Survey Findings

In 2007, the number of major exhibitions open to both trade and public visitors rose 71% in 2007 with an 18% increase in overall number of visits from outside Hong Kong. In parallel with this growth, the number of visits from the region increased by more than 4%, while the number of visits from beyond the region - namely Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East - registered an over 9% growth. The growth in the number of visits from Mainland China was particularly strong, 47% up from the previous year.

Building on Hong Kong’s global reputation as an ideal meeting point between China and the world, 2007 also saw the number of exhibiting companies from Mainland China increased over 12%. In the same period, stand rental revenues from China-based exhibiting companies rose nearly 24%. 

Among the 95 exhibitions surveyed, they occupied a total of over 900,000 square metres of net exhibition space, generating over HK$2.7 billion (US$354.6 million) in total exhibition stand rental revenues. The continual growth demonstrated the sustainability of Hong Kong’s exhibition industry, and resulted from the healthy economic developments and the favourable trading environment in Asia and China.

Most notable was the excellent progress that Hong Kong continued to make in 2007 as a regional and international exhibition destination. During the year, the number of organising companies running exhibitions over 1,819 sqm grew to 42, a 5% increase on the previous year. 

“These results are encouraging confirmation that Hong Kong remains as the strong global marketplace,” said HKECIA Chairman, Mr Stanley Chu. “Throughout Asia and around the world, Hong Kong is known for world-class facilities and infrastructure, its superb accessibility and the free, open and transparent nature of its business environment. Looking ahead, we will continue to promote Hong Kong both regionally and globally. Working closely with the Hong Kong Government, we will strive to further stimulate the economy, while also creating an exhibition industry of which everyone in Hong Kong can be proud.”

The HKECIA survey rated the number of exhibiting companies and visits, space occupied and stand revenues at major exhibitions held in Hong Kong from January to December 2007. The HKECIA distributed the questionnaire to 54 organising companies which ran 108 exhibitions in Hong Kong across the calendar year. A total of 95 questionnaires were completed.

Regional in the Survey refers to companies based in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, North Asia and South and South East Asia.

Attendance figures are counted in terms of number of visits, i.e. meaning that the same visitor attending exhibitions held concurrently at two different venues are counted as two visits.

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