Overview

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), in partnership with the Shangri‑La Group, conducted The Dragon Pulse, a five‑day familiarisation programme for eight senior MICE professionals from India. The trip ran from 26 June to 30 June 2026 and was designed to demonstrate Hong Kong’s capability as a premier MICE destination for the Indian market.

Programme Highlights

The itinerary combined venue inspections with cultural and leisure experiences. Key venue visits included Kowloon Shangri‑La in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kerry Hotel in Hung Hom Bay, and a site inspection of the West Kowloon Cultural District, focusing on the M+ museum and its event spaces. Participants also toured the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), which recently earned a Gold Certification for MICE Venues from CrescentRating, and the AsiaWorld‑Expo, currently undergoing Phase II expansion that will add more than 20,000 sq m of column‑free exhibition space.

Cultural and Leisure Activities

The delegation experienced a range of signature Hong Kong experiences: a hands‑on dim‑sum workshop at Maxim’s Palace, a cocktail‑making session at Tell Camellia, a speedboat tour of the UNESCO Global Geopark in Sai Kung, dinner at the Anglo‑Indian brasserie Rajasthan Rifles on The Peak, a ride on the Peak Tram and visit to Sky Terrace 428, an evening at Sha Tin Racecourse with dinner at The Box Seat, an exclusive visit to Ocean Park Hong Kong (including the Giant Panda Twins), nighttime shows at Hong Kong Disneyland, an evening in Lan Kwai Fong, and a harbour cruise aboard the Oriental Pearl. The programme also provided VIP access to the 50th Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, coinciding with the 2026 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races.

Infrastructure and Capacity Developments

HKTB highlighted several recent and upcoming infrastructure projects that enhance Hong Kong’s MICE capacity:

  • Kai Tak Sports Park, opened in March 2025, features a 50,000‑seat Main Stadium capable of hosting international sport, concerts, exhibitions and corporate events.
  • AsiaWorld‑Expo Phase II will contribute an additional >20,000 sq m of flexible, column‑free space for large‑scale exhibitions and arena‑style events.
  • Over 20 new hotels have opened in Hong Kong during the past five years, expanding accommodation options for small and medium‑sized meetings and conventions.

Accessibility for Indian Delegates

The press release notes that Indian passport holders eligible under the Pre‑arrival Registration (PAR) arrangement enjoy visa‑free entry, complemented by direct flight connectivity between India and Hong Kong. This regulatory facilitation, together with the city’s extensive venue ecosystem, enables Indian organisers to design programmes that blend business objectives with memorable cultural experiences.

Statement from HKTB

Puneet Kumar, Director – South Asia at HKTB, stated that India remains a strategically important MICE market for Hong Kong and that the Dragon Pulse itinerary demonstrated the city’s ability to deliver “world‑class event facilities, natural heritage, cultural traditions, and dining experiences of genuine distinction within a highly connected city.”

Conclusion

The Dragon Pulse familiarisation trip underscored Hong Kong’s comprehensive MICE proposition for Indian corporate groups, combining newly expanded infrastructure, a diverse portfolio of venues, and seamless travel arrangements.