Hong Kong and Macao Set to Dominate 2026 MICE Industry: Ambitious Plans to Boost Global Business Events!

Published on December 29, 2025

The business events sector in the Greater Bay Area continues to grow at an impressive rate, with both Hong Kong and Macao remaining optimistic about the future. The Greater Bay Area initiative, which is a collaborative effort by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Macao Government Tourism Office, and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, aims to enhance both business and tourism in the region. This initiative is seeing continuous development, with authorities not resting on their achievements and continuing to make strides to position the area as a key player in the global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector.

The latest update on the region’s progress reveals a strong commitment to making the area more accessible and appealing to business travelers. The initiative is working towards transforming the Greater Bay Area into an attractive hub for international business events, further boosted by the opening of new event venues, improved infrastructure, and expanding transport links.

Growing Infrastructure and New Developments

The infrastructure developments within the Greater Bay Area are making considerable headway, with Hong Kong leading the charge. The new Kai Tak Stadium, built on the former site of Hong Kong’s old airport, is one of the standout additions to the region. With a capacity of 50,000, this venue, which opened in March 2025, is already booking events until 2027, showing a growing demand for large-scale business events in the area.

Accompanying this, new hotel openings, such as the Kimpton in September 2025, and the upcoming opening of the Mandarin Oriental at the end of 2026, are helping to enhance the luxury and accessibility of accommodations for business travelers. These new developments reflect a broader trend of enhancing the region’s ability to host world-class events, ensuring that there are more spaces available for business gatherings.

Enhanced Transport Connectivity Across the Region

The transport infrastructure improvements within the Greater Bay Area are also playing a crucial role in boosting the region’s appeal to the MICE industry. With the third runway now operational at Hong Kong International Airport, the airport has expanded its capacity, facilitating smoother international travel. Additionally, high-speed rail links have been established, and road networks have been enhanced, all of which have improved connectivity between Hong Kong, Macao, and the nine cities of Guangdong Province, which include Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing.

These improvements are designed to make travel between cities quicker and easier, which will, in turn, increase the region’s appeal as a business events hub. The upgraded infrastructure ensures that the Greater Bay Area can offer enhanced accessibility, making it an ideal destination for international MICE events.

Hong Kong’s Strategy for Growth in 2026

The progress being made in the region was highlighted by Becky Ip, the deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, who provided an update on the plans for 2026. According to Ip, Hong Kong has continuously been working to upgrade its infrastructure to meet the growing demands of business travelers. Notable projects include the development of AsiaWorld-Expo, which is set to be a premier location for conventions and exhibitions. Additionally, Airport City is scheduled to open in two years, further enhancing the region’s capabilities for hosting business events.

In 2025, Hong Kong hosted more than 160 conventions and exhibitions, showcasing its status as a significant MICE destination. Ip also emphasized the importance of building stronger partnerships with other destinations, particularly within the Greater Bay Area, but also expanding connections with Japan, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand. Through initiatives such as the stopover program with Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong aims to further establish itself as a global MICE hub and a top destination for both leisure and business tourism.

Macao’s Ambitious MICE Goals

As the neighboring destination to Hong Kong, Macao is also advancing its MICE offerings with similar enthusiasm. Jennifer Si Tou, deputy director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, shared the region’s targets for 2026, where Macao aims to host between 2,000 and 2,500 MICE events. This ambitious target follows the impressive momentum seen in the first half of 2025, where Macao successfully hosted over 900 events, marking a 30% year-on-year increase in event hosting.

To meet these goals, Macao recognizes the need for more venues and exhibition spaces, as it currently has 240,000 square meters of event space. Si Tou noted that one potential solution to this challenge would be working with nearby cities to share resources and create partnerships for larger events. By adopting a collaborative approach, the Greater Bay Area can offer a wider variety of venues and spaces for business events, further solidifying its position as a major player in the MICE sector.

Collaborative Approach Between Hong Kong, Macao, and Guangdong

The success of the Greater Bay Area initiative hinges on the collective efforts of Hong Kong, Macao, and the cities of Guangdong province. By working together, the region has the potential to attract larger and more diverse international events. Si Tou pointed out that the combined efforts of these cities are driving the region’s success, thanks to the synergy between the cities and the overall strength of their tourism offerings.

The Greater Bay Area is quickly becoming a key destination for international MICE events, thanks to its growing infrastructure, improved connectivity, and collaborative strategies between cities. With Hong Kong and Macao leading the charge, the region is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory in the business events sector as it heads into 2026 and beyond.

Positive Outlook for 2026

The continued development of infrastructure and the growing number of events being hosted within the Greater Bay Area suggest that the region will remain a strong contender in the global MICE market in 2026. Both Hong Kong and Macao are showing significant improvements in their offerings for international business events, with strategic collaborations and investments aimed at boosting accessibility, infrastructure, and event hosting capabilities. As the region continues to expand and develop, the Greater Bay Area will become an increasingly attractive destination for global business travelers, ensuring its place as a key player in the international MICE industry.

Conclusion

The Greater Bay Area’s ongoing development and investments in infrastructure, venues, and collaborations position it for continued success in the MICE industry. Both Hong Kong and Macao are taking proactive steps to meet the needs of modern business travelers, making the region an increasingly appealing option for international events. With enhanced connectivity, a range of new facilities, and a growing commitment to hosting global business events, the Greater Bay Area is poised to strengthen its reputation as a top destination for MICE activities in the coming years.