HICAP Ready to Kick Off In Hong Kong, October 18, 2017

Hong Kong is all set for the 2017 edition of the annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) that will commence on October 18 at the InterContinental Hotel. The prestigious business gathering, which is seen to again bring together high-profile executives and operators in the hospitality and tourism industry, will run until October 20.

The hub for industry operators

For HICAP’s 28th staging, event organizers said more than 800 delegates are expected to fly in to Hong Kong next month, likely exceeding the 797 attendees that HICAP welcomed in 2016. Industry observers regard the event as the hub for top hotel and tourism operators in the Asia Pacific region.

On its official website, HICAP was characterized as “the unequaled annual gathering place for Asia-Pacific’s hotel investment community, attracting the most influential owners, developers, lenders, executives, and professional advisors from around the globe.”

According to HICAP, roughly a third of the total attendees each year are comprised of company owners, CEOs and presidents, and by coming to the event industry operators are given the opportunity to connect and network with some of the leading decision makers “and the people who really matter.”

HICAP Lifetime Achievement Award

In the same event, HICAP is set to give the Lifetime Achievement Award to Larry M.K. Tchou. As senior advisor to Hyatt Hotels & Resorts for Greater China, Mr. Tchou is credited for introducing the Hyatt chain in mainland China and for making the brand a popular and trusted name in the country.

Rising from the ranks, Mr. Tchou has been with Hyatt for over 40 years and will get the Lifetime Achievement Award that HICAP only grants to select individuals – the shakers and movers in the industry. According to BHN co-founder Jim Burba, the award is not a yearly occurrence that only highlights its prestige. In 2016, for instance, HICAP had opted not to pick a recipient for the honors.

“We are very honored to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Tchou … His significant business accomplishments have positively influenced the growth of tourism throughout Asia and indeed the world,” Mr. Burba said.