By James Wilkinson in Shanghai

Shanghai’s popularity as a MICE destination for Australian organisations remains robust, according to the city’s leading tourism authority.

Shanghai’s Nanjing Road

Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration Commission vice chairman, Connie Cheng, told SpiceNews the Australian market is continuing to grow for Shanghai, particularly in the MICE segment.

“The MICE market is very important for Shanghai right now because the World Expo 2010 is coming very soon and it’s a very important landmark for us to promote the city as a MICE destination,” she said.

“Australia is very important for us right now. The number of Australians coming to Shanghai is increasing and MICE is such an important market.”

Cheng was interviewed at the Australian Society of Travel Wrters (ASTW) annual general meeting, which saw 200 media descend on the city last weekend.

Held at the Hua Ting Hotel and Towers, it was sponsored by Helen Wong’s Tours and was held in the city to promote Shanghai and China as both a leisure and MICE destination in the Australian media.

The 2009 ASTW Annual General Meeting will be held in Bangkok next August.