MV Destination Management moves into mainland market

HONG KONG MV Destination Management is to become one of the first Hong Kong-based destination management companies (DMC) to open offices in China to handle an expected increased in group business traffic between the destinations. While the industry in Hong Kong remains unsure about legal requirements and stipulations regarding establishing satellite operations across the border, MV general manager Mr Clemson Lo said he had secured the necessary business permits. He said he was one of many in Hong Kong who expected to be approached by regional clients to organise conference, meeting and incentive groups in China until the DMC and professional conference organiser (PCO) industry matured. He has already been approached by regional and Hong Kong companies to handle arrangements in China as no suitable DMC or PCO could be found in Shanghai or Beijing. Mr Lo plans to have a presence in both cities. "Originally my plan was to open in Beijing first and then open in Shanghai but after a recent fact-finding tour of Shanghai, I am not so sure," he said. "But I am likely to get into Beijing first and then Shanghai not long after all, hopefully, in the first half of this year." Mr Lo said it was important for DMCs to be in both major cities as the markets differed greatly. The capital is predominately catering to academic associations and most government bodies, while Shanghai had much more of a corporate business focus and each city required different strategies.