China eases restrictions for foreign visitors

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China, 11th January: Last week, China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) implemented five new measures aiming to simplify the process for foreign nationals planning to visit China. Under the new measures, business activities, education, and tours in China will become more accessible for foreign nationals.

The five new measures are:

1.     Relaxing conditions for foreign nationals applying for port visas;

2.     Allow foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit at nine international airports in China;

3.     Allowing foreign nationals already in China to apply for visa extension, renewal, and reissuance;

4.     Allowing foreign nationals already in China to apply for a multiple-stay visas;

5.     Simplifying visa applications for foreign nationals in China.

Management changes at Koelnmesse in China and Hong Kong

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Cologne/China, 11th January: After six successful years leading Koelnmesse’s business in Hong Kong and China, Managing Director, Keith Tsui has decided to move on. Prior to his role at Koelnmesse, Keith held leadership roles at ITE Group and UBM Canon (now Informa Markets).

Keith’s role will be divided between two managers. Michiel Kruse will be assuming responsibility for Koelnmesse’s business in Mainland China, while Mathias Küpper, current Vice President Asia-Pacific, will assume management responsibility for the subsidiary in Hong Kong.

ILEA chapter looks to Africa

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Shenzhen, 18th January: Leaders of the Hong Kong and China chapter of International Live Events Association (ILEA) gathered in Shenzhen this week. An interesting key take-away is the acknowledgement that Africa is becoming a growth market.

Cecilia Lavin, vice-president of ILEA’s Europe Middle East and Asia region, said in a recorded address to the Asia chapter meeting at Shenzhen World, that ILEA was considering merging the chapters in Asia and Africa.

Quick takes

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Delegates registered for UFI Asia Conference

The list of delegates already registered for the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference in Macau is now online. UFI is expecting approximately 300 delegates from across Asia to attend the two-day event on 7th & 8th March at The Parisian in Macau. Register here.

Visitors to Hong Kong reach 34m in 2023

Over 34 million visitors came to Hong Kong last year. That is still well down from the record high of 65 million in 2018. Of course, Mainland China remains the most important source market for Hong Kong. “The number of MICE travellers recovered to about 70% of pre-pandemic.”

Trends for marketers in Asia

Marketing-Interactive also has an interesting survey of marketers in Asia with key trends such as: A desire for the spectacle (which event organisers can relate to); keeping track of upcoming tech regulations; exploring use of Generative AI; balancing data collection and privacy and “getting out of your comfort zone.”