Macau Grows in Popularity for Meetings, Events Planners

Recently released global statistics show that Macau is growing in popularity as a MICE destination, in spite of current market conditions. In 2008, the total number of events held in Macau was 1,240, up by 5.35 percent on 2007.

Of these events, corporate meetings grew by 11.83 percent and trade shows and exhibitions grew by a massive 53.85 percent. Overall, the number of participants in events in Macau grew last year by 20.64 percent, with participants in trade shows and exhibitions up a staggering 76.17 percent.

Macau has been a key meeting venue for travelers and traders since the 16th century, when it became a crossroads for cultures and commerce. The harmony of Portuguese and Chinese heritage is now overlaid with an exciting range of new hotels and attractions, including a dramatic increase in the number and diversity of high quality meetings and events space such as the forthcoming Macau Science Center, due to open in December 2009 and the recently opened integrated resort City of Dreams, which includes three international hotel brands: Crown Towers, Hard Rock Hotel and Grand Hyatt.

Furthermore, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Macau as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China and to further stimulate visitor arrivals to the destination, The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is making a major commitment to the meetings and events market with a “Strategic MICE Market Stimulation Program.”

Designed to assist meeting organizers and event planners, it represents a substantial investment of approximately £3.3 million pounds and includes a range of packages and incentives for organizers who book confirmed events by December 31, 2009.

This MICE Program is part of a wider £14 million pound Macau Government initiative to promote the development of travel and tourism in Macau, and maintain the momentum and competitive edge it has been building as an international destination.