Hangzhou positions itself as 'new economy' destination

As the home base of Chinese tech giant Alibaba, Hangzhou sees itself as a destination for conferences related to the new economy. 

Busines Events Hangzhou and eight MICE service providers from the city recently held a roadshow in Singapore to showcase tourism products and business-events case studies from the city. The Chinese contingent met a total of 28 Singapore-based service buyers and received expressions of interest on further collaborations. 

Meanwhile, Daniel Chua, founder and CEO of the Aonia group of companies, and Anthea Tan, vice president of the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organiers and Suppliers (SACEOS), conducted a seminar to share their experiences and best practices with the Chinese service providers.

Hangzhou has long been a tourism hotspot with attractions such as the West Lake and a number of ancient temples. However, interest in the city as a destination for international business events has been on the rise since it hosted the G20 Summit in 2016. MCI Group has recently opened an office in Hangzhou, its first in a second-tier city.