Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 380 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) events were held in various venues in the fourth quarter of 2010, up by 1% year-on-year; the average duration increased from 2.1 days in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 2.7 days; number of participants and attendees totalled 220,163, down by 4% year-on-year.

A total of 17 exhibitions were held in the fourth quarter of 2010, a decrease of 2 year-on-year; number of attendees decreased by 5% to 182,427; however, the average duration increased from 2.8 days to 3.5 days. Concurrently, 363 meetings & conferences were held, bringing together 37,736 participants, up by 2% and 1% year-on-year; the average duration stood at 2.7 days, an increase of 0.6 day.

As regards subject of MICE events, the majority focused on Commerce, Trade & Management (167), IT & Other Technology (59), Medical & Health (33) and Banking & Finance (30). Analyzed by type, most of the events were Corporate Meetings (190), Association Meetings (70), Incentive Meeting/Travel & Others (41) and Government Meetings (40).

There were 268 MICE events held in hotels, including 256 meetings & conferences and 12 exhibitions. The average duration increased from 2.5 days in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 3.3 days, drawing a total of 168,665 participants and attendees, with 86% being exhibition attendees (144,886 participants). In addition, 112 MICE events were held in convention & exhibition centres and other conference venues; the average duration stood at 1.4 days, bringing in 51,498 participants and attendees.

For the whole year of 2010, a total of 1,399 MICE events were held, an increase of 184 (+15%) year-on-year. The average duration increased from 2.0 days in 2009 to 2.5 days; number of participants and attendees reached 806,135, up by 41% year-on-year. Among these events, 57 exhibitions attracted 656,303 participants and attendees; average duration extended from 3.1 days to 4.3 days. Meetings & conferences accounted for 1,342, the average duration increased from 2.0 days to 2.4 days and number of participants totalled 149,832.

Analysed by subject of MICE events, the majority focused on Commerce, Trade & Management (531), IT & Other Technology (191), Banking & Finance (121) and Education & Training (120). Analyzed by type, most of the events were Corporate Meetings (617) and Association Meetings (310).

In 2010, there were 897 MICE events held in hotels, up by 17% year-on-year. The average duration increased by 0.7 day to 3.1 days; number of participants and attendees surged by 148% to 527,331. Moreover, 502 MICE events were held in convention & exhibition centres and other conference venues. The average duration stood at 1.3 days and number of participants and attendees totalled 278,804.