Chee Hok Yean, executive vice-president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in Asia explained: “On a macro level, Hong Kong’s business tourism and hotel industries are well supported by its position as one of Asia’s premier business and financial centres, an international airline hub and gateway to the Pearl River Delta region.
“International arrivals, which reached a record high in 2006, are projected to increase further, providing a growing demand base from both leisure and corporate travellers.”
In anticipation of the growth in business tourist arrivals, the Hong Kong Tourism Board is rolling out its tourism master plan, which will reshape the city’s business tourism landscape.
The hotel industry is also responding with more innovative product concepts from boutique hotels to affordable hotels, which aim to target value-conscious business travellers.
Collectively, these developments hope to increase the depth and breadth of the Hong Kong tourism and hotel Industries.”
Despite the total net addition of around 8,000 rooms and strong double-digit growth in room rates over the past two years, hotels in Hong Kong have consistently achieved high average occupancy levels in excess of 80% in 2005 and 2006.
