With recent strides made in the region’s economic development, cities included the Outline Development Plan (ODP) for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) are anticipating a business events boost in the coming years.
A Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) spokesman, said: “The ODP and recent infrastructure developments, such as the Hong-Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and inter-city rail developments, will greatly enhance Macau’s position as a MICE destination as it will open up the region, make it more accessible and provide more scope for multi-city, multi-regional collaboration for hosting MICE events.”
IPIM has developed the concept of ‘one event, two locations’. For example, The Macao International Aerospace Forum was held concurrently with the 12th Airshow China last November in Zhuhai, while in July the International Comparative Literature Association Congress will be held in Macau and the pre-board meeting in Shenzhen.
Macau-based Powerhouse Convention and Exhibition’s president, Todd Cai, shared: “When the (IPIM) concept was announced a few years ago, we started observing additional exhibition traffic from China to Macau because it promotes manufacturing, production and cooperation among 11 Chinese cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen.”
Cai added: “Aside from linking satellite meetings and events, there are also opportunities to develop pre- and post-tours, technical tours and other types of tour programmes that encompass regional destinations.”
“Meeting business has also benefited thanks to governments’ effort to improve transport infrastructure and connection between cities, and the plan will help stimulate more international conventions to Macau, followed by post-tour or incentives to GBA. It’s a win-win situation,” the IPIM spokesperson noted.
Sands China, vice president of destination marketing and sales, Ruth Boston, commented: “The plan outlines a number of initiatives for the 11 cities in the region including programmes for transport infrastructure, and easier flow for goods and services. As such it will make it easier for people to travel within the region which can only enhance Macau’s reputation as a centre of tourism and leisure in the long term.”
Faces of Hong Kong’s CEO, Ivy Sung, expressed hope that Hong Kong can be the main hub drawing all relevant business events arrangements based on the city’s prime location and its ability to deliver multi-destination business events programmes.
Cai also expressed his hopes that IPIM will organise more overseas promotions to drive awareness and provide more training for trade when it comes to bidding international events.
The IPIM spokesperson noted: “We plan to strengthen MICE collaboration between Macau and the Greater Bay Area cities, especially in the area of co-organising training programmes and events.”
