The survey showed impressive growth in net space occupied by exhibition stands, number of exhibitions and visitors.The number of exhibitions occupying more than 1,800 sqm in gross exhibition area jumped to 92 (from 66 in 2005) – an almost 40% increase year on year.Equally, the number of trade exhibitions rose to 65 from 40, representing a substantial 62.5% increase on 2005.The growth in net exhibition space and number of exhibitions resulted from the first full year of operation of AsiaWorld-Expo, which offered an additional 70,000 sqm in 2006.Expanding and new exhibitions at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre were also healthy.The survey also showed continued growth among established exhibitions, proving the sustainability of Hong Kong’s exhibitions industry.The number of visits to exhibitions continued to rise, topping 5.2 million in 2006.Overall visits from outside Hong Kong rose to more than 600,000 in 2006, with 210,000 from the Asia Pacific region (a 43% increase on the previous year), over 160,000 from Mainland China (a 24% increase) and over 220,000 from the rest of the
world (a 20% increase).
