Hong Kong Named Exclusive Asian Host of Middle East’s Flagship Tech Expo “LEAP East” for the Next Three Years

Three of the World’s Top Tech Conferences Converge in Hong Kong
100+ Large-Scale International MICE Events Staged in First Half of 2026
Attracting High-End Business Travellers and Families to Stay Longer

Hong Kong hosted LEAP East for the first time. HKTB has joined forces with the organiser of LEAP East to
secure Hong Kong as the exclusive Asian host city of the
event for the next three years. Dr Peter Lam, Chairman,
Hong Kong Tourism Board (Left) and Annabelle Mander,
Executive Vice President and Co-Creator of LEAP (Right).

HONG KONG, July 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LEAP East, the Middle East’s flagship technology exhibition, made its Asian debut in Hong Kong over three days (8–10 July), attracting more than 25,000 participants, with 55% were non-local and 45% local. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has partnered with the organiser to secure Hong Kong as the exclusive Asian host city of LEAP East from 2027 to 2029.

HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam said, “LEAP East has chosen Hong Kong for its first-ever edition in Asia this year, and we are delighted to establish a strategic partnership with the organiser to secure Hong Kong as the exclusive Asian host city of LEAP East for the coming three years. This significant partnership not only demonstrates the global industry’s confidence in Hong Kong, but also affirms Hong Kong’s status as the World’s Meeting Place and a hub for innovation and technology, as well as its role as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’. By bringing together tech and innovation enterprises, investors, research institutions and innovative talent from around the world, Hong Kong is fostering cross-regional and cross-industry collaboration.”

LEAP East marks the first global expansion of Saudi Arabia’s flagship technology conference, LEAP, into Asia, with Hong Kong selected as the inaugural host city for this regional flagship event. Mr Mike Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, the organiser, said, “Hong Kong’s unique position as a melting pot of Chinese and international cultures, together with its status as a world-class MICE and tourism destination, makes it a vital bridge connecting the Chinese Mainland, the Asia-Pacific region and global markets. I believe that Hong Kong, as the host of LEAP’s first flagship edition outside the Middle East, is the perfect platform to connect Middle Eastern technology enterprises with Asian businesses, while also creating opportunities for Asian companies to engage with partners across the Gulf. I look forward to partnering with HKTB over the next three years to build LEAP East into a premier international platform that brings together global innovation and fosters cross-regional.”

Hong Kong Hosts Three World-Class Innovation and Technology Events
Strengthening Its Position as an International I&T Hub

Dr Lam noted, “Consensus Hong Kong, the global cryptocurrency and Web3 mega event, and the Hong Kong Web3 Festival, one of Asia’s most influential Web3 events, were successfully staged in February and April respectively. Together with LEAP East’s debut in Hong Kong, the city has become the convergence point for three of the world’s top innovation and technology events, further consolidating its leading position as an international I&T hub and Asia’s preferred MICE destination.”

Strong Line-Up of Major International MICE Events is Set to Follow

Dr Lam added, “Through HKTB’s efforts in securing, facilitating and supporting events, over 100 major international MICE events were held in Hong Kong in the first half of this year. Looking ahead, even more world-renowned international MICE events across diverse sectors — including medical science, food science and technology, lifestyle, innovation and technology, aviation and transport, sports and other diversified fields — will be hosted in Hong Kong. These events not only showcase our city’s unique strength as an international MICE hub, but also attract more high value-added overnight visitors and their families to Hong Kong, boosting tourism spending, benefiting the tourism industry and related sectors, and injecting greater momentum into Hong Kong’s economy.”

Following the successful staging of the 108th Lions International Convention in Hong Kong last week, which attracted more than 17,000 participants, more large-scale international MICE events will debut or return to the city. These include the World Cancer Congress, the World Congress of Food Science and Technology, the World Congress of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) 2026, the high-end international exhibition The Festival of Connoisseurs (TFOC), and the Lions Clubs International OSEAL Forum. These events will bring together industry leaders from around the world to exchange insights and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

The HKTB will continue to work closely with the MICE industry and partners to actively attract more large-scale international MICE events with global influence to Hong Kong. This will further enrich Hong Kong’s year-round events calendar, attract more high value-added MICE visitors and encourage them to extend their stay, enhancing their overall business travel experience. It will also stimulate spending on hotels, dining and retail, thereby amplifying the tourism sector’s contribution to the wider economy.

Members of the media can download the photos from this link:
https://assetlibrary.hktb.com/assetbank-hktb/action/browseItems?categoryId=2489&categoryTypeId=2

Members of the media can download the press release from the following link:
https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/hktb/newsroom/press-releases.html

For media inquiries, please contact:  
Ms Winky Chan
Tel: +852 2807 6526
Email: [email protected] 
Outside office hours, please call 8200 7860.
Ms Joey Wong
Tel: +852 2807 6123
Email: [email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d02e23a0-4d1c-4993-b8ae-a03fe62315dc

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/586c53ba-1ad6-4a14-857b-98a484b6467d

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HKTB’s Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races Spread Waves of Summertime Excitement

Top International Teams Converge on Victoria Harbour to Race as Shoreline Programmes
Enhance the Festive Atmosphere

HONG KONG, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The highlight of the Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival — The Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), co-organised by the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association (HKCDBA) and proudly title-sponsored by Sun Life — was staged on Victoria Harbour on 27-28 June. Top dragon boat athletes from around the world gathered to paddle to the beat of drums, sending sprays of water flying as they raced intensity and excitement. The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade was packed with locals and visitors cheering on their dragon boat teams. Beyond the exciting races, the Festival also features a vibrant array of harbourside entertainment, including a Dragon Boat Food Lane, a Beer Garden, Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshops, and a series of photo spots, immersing spectators in a rich festive atmosphere.

Elite Athletes from Around the World Paddle for Glory on Victoria Harbour

This year’s Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races feature 21 races, drawing more than 220 teams and over 4,500 paddlers from 16 countries and regions. The first day of competition brought together top teams from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and around the world for a series of thrilling races, attracting a huge crowd of cheering spectators.

Diverse Festive Activities Keep the Harbourfront Alive Day and Night

Prior to the races, the Dragon Boat Food Lane, Beer Garden, Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshops, and a series of photo spots opened along the waterfront, filling the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade with a strong festive atmosphere that attracted both locals and visitors. As the race weekend got underway, crowds gathered at the Race Broadcast Viewing Zones to experience the thrill of the dragon boat finals.

50th Anniversary Fishermen Invitational Cup Features Wooden Dragon Boats
Top Teams Battle for “Ultimate Dragon Boat Champion” Title in Event Climax

This year, the “50th Anniversary Fishermen Invitational Cup” was introduced, featuring six teams of local fishermen from areas including Aberdeen and Chai Wan. Racing in traditional wooden dragon boats, they reflected the culture and spirit of Hong Kong’s fishing communities. In addition, the new “Huatai International IDBR 50th Anniversary Championship” brought together top teams from nine major race categories to compete for the title of “Ultimate Dragon Boat Champion,” providing a thrilling climax to the weekend’s races.

Members of the media can download the press release and the photos from the following links:    
Press Release: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/hktb/newsroom/press-releases.html  
Photos: https://assetlibrary.hktb.com/assetbank-hktb/action/browseItems?categoryId=2443&categoryTypeId=2&cachedCriteria=1 

For media enquiries, please contact: 

Mr Cameron Tong Tel: 2807 6367                      Email: [email protected]
Ms Elisa Luk Tel: 2807 6236                      Email: [email protected]
   

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/25f41049-7f4d-4f85-8aef-a0fe8da2371a 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72b3a6fe-8ddf-4fd1-af0e-426114bb38e5

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