Forecasting the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industry in Hong Kong

Due to its prominent economic contributions, the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry has recently drawn the worldwide attention of government officials and academic researchers. The MICE industry is particularly important in Hong Kong, a major tourism and service center in Asia. This paper reports on a study that forecasts the demand for different segments of MICE visitors in Hong Kong. On the basis of annual data from seven major market regions in the period 1994 to 2002, two commonly used forecasting models were applied to forecast the number of MICE visitors in Hong Kong until the end of the current decade. Empirical results showed all but one of the MICE sectors will experience growth. At last, the paper will offer industrial implications and suggestions.