The Chinese Mainland is currently rising as a potential power player in the global MICE industry
Whenever the topic of MICE in East Asia comes up, the industry’s focus tends to turn to Hong Kong and Macao, two areas which have built up a reputation thanks to mega venues and the expertise of their respective business events professionals.
Surprisingly, Mainland China is no slouch when it comes to the business events scene, what with major cities like Beijing and Shanghai welcoming global conferences and expositions, and Shenzhen playing host to international tech conventions
With that said, we take a closer look at the Chinese MICE sector, what it specifically offers the industry, and what could give it the edge against the rest of the world.
What China has going for it
To understand why China is on a roll with regard to MICE is to know that the industry has the support of the national government.
When it comes to both infrastructure and industrial advancement, the Chinese government has an all-encompassing strategy for the MICE industry.
This strategy is focused on the creation of multifunctional spaces capable of hosting events of any magnitude in terms of both usable area and relevant amenities.
Also, rather than simply building new conference centres and exhibition halls, the Chinese government seeks to develop integrated environments to enable event planners to create engaging interactive experiences for participants.
At the same time, historical quarters in major cities are being transformed into event venues that fuse together an immersive cultural tourism aspect with the amenities of contemporary MICE, essentially weaving storied tradition with modern spectacle for maximum impact.
It has also helped that global luxury hospitality brands like Banyan Tree, Jumeirah, and Rosewood have been setting up shop in major Chinese cities, drawing in C-suite and business travellers with a curated blend of global excellence, local custom, and timeless elegance.
Rolling out the red carpet
It has also helped that China has been making it easier for travellers, specifically business travellers and event delegates, to enter its borders.
Indeed, the country’s relaxed visa policy which remains in effect until 14th September of this year has simplified things for travel agents and corporate travel planners worldwide.
The increase in direct flights entering and exiting China has also helped, along with a number of global airlines expanding their routes to both main and secondary cities throughout the country.
The number of Chinese carriers, both full-service and low-cost, has also helped boost arrivals numbers, and many events staged in the country prudently team up with airlines to help their delegates have a more convenient and comfortable inbound experience.
Hold on for a minute
This, however, does not mean that it’s all smooth sailing for the Chinese MICE industry; far from it as there are still a number of barriers that could keep the industry from coming to its full potential.
There is still, unfortunately, the language barrier: even today, the country has a significant shortage of travel and hospitality professionals who are proficient in English and other global languages.
Indeed, China’s dominant monolingual culture has made a number of global events shy away from considering it a viable venue, citing difficulties in getting local staff to understand requirements and logistical arrangements.
The Chinese MICE industry’s attitudes towards sustainable operations have also been called into question, as companies have been slow to comply with global standards for waste management and resource conservation.
Some critics have also pointed out that extremely strict government regulations have also discouraged MICE firms from bringing their events into the country.
An optimistic outlook
But all things considered, the outlook for the Chinese MICE industry for the rest of 2026 and beyond is a rosy one.
The ongoing crisis in West Asia is driving event organisers from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Qatar to Asia’s primary cities which include Beijing and Hong Kong.
Also, as stated earlier, MICE professionals are literally taking the show on the road, mounting conferences and expos in tourism centres like Harbin or little known gems like Tianjin and Hainan.
Chinese event professionals are also making it a point to customise events for their clients, offering a level of personalisation that truly makes these functions their own, something which is rarely considered elsewhere in the world.
They said in ancient times that all roads led to Rome for it was, at the time, the centre for commerce and culture; these days, we can confidently say that all roads lead to China as the world has chosen to meet there.