Bangkok--16 Apr--eTurboNews Though relatively new in the region, cruise travel is fast gaining popularity. Hong Kong is to build an international cruise terminal developing the city into the region’s leading cruise hub for local, regional and international visitors. For the first time there will be a Cruise Education Corner in the 22nd International Travel Expo Hong Kong this year to provide background information suitable to trade and travelers. This will likely be the first of such attempt in Asia, where popularity of cruise travel has been growing fast in recent years. In fact, nearly 6000 local residents took cruise holiday during the Lunar New Year holiday this year. Presenting by cruise companies and / or travel agents who specialized in cruise travels, have already confirmed participations in our Expo. To be held from June 12 to 15 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center, our Expo will attract over 11000 trade and corporate visitors, and 53000 visitors during the two public days. Geographically, 36% of our trade and corporate visitors are from Mainland China and other parts of Asia, and by sectors 57% are travel agents and tour operators while 25% are from corporations. Our Expo has also a highly international profile by exhibitors, which will total over 650 from some 50 countries and regions. Of the nearly 50 official pavilions / participations, over 50% of them are from Americas, Europe, Africa and Middle East. The market of southern China, which includes Hong Kong, Macau and the Guangdong province, has a combined population of around 100 million people. Hong Kong, which re-united with mainland China since 1997, is now China’s richest city by GDP per capita and UNWTO ranked Hong Kong 14th in the world by outbound tourism expenditures in 2006. The Guangdong province is China’s export base and the first part to open up to foreign trade and investment. Recently, there has been a substantial rise in cruise travel in Hong Kong and Guangdong. ITE MICE and ITE are supported by China National Tourism Administration, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Macau Government Tourist Office and Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong. ITE MICE08, The 3rd MICE, Business & Incentive Travel Expo will be held from June 12 to 14 this year at hall 2B of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center (HKCEC), while the concurrent ITE08, The 22nd International Travel Expo Hong Kong will be held from June 12 to 15 at halls 1A, B & C and hall 2A of HKCEC. For more details, please visit official websites of www.itehk.com and www.itehkmice.com . For exhibiting or enquiry, please send email to [email protected] or by fax to +852 3520 1500. For pre-registration / visiting, please send email to [email protected]