Monday, August 12, 2024 In the heart of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), a significant transformation is taking place that is expected to have a profound impact on the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. Macao and Hengqin, two destinations renowned for their excellence in hosting business events, are coming together to redefine what it means to hold world-class events in Asia. The two cities, located just five minutes apart, are offering a unique combination of brand-new venues and memorable group activities, which event organizers are likely to find highly appealing.
Macao has long been recognized for its integrated approach to leisure tourism, MICE, and finance, making it a leading destination for international events. On the other hand, Hengqin has established itself as a regional hub in China, known for its strengths in sci-tech research and development, high-end manufacturing, and traditional Chinese medicine industries. This combination of strengths between Macao and Hengqin is creating a compelling MICE option that is expected to draw interest from around the globe.
The emergence of this new MICE powerhouse is being driven by the MICE2 Macao x Hengqin joint development partnership. This partnership, which is led by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR (IPIM) and the Economic Development Bureau of Hengqin, is positioning the region as a major hub for events and a gateway to mainland China. This development is likely to attract a significant number of international visitors and businesses, enhancing the region’s global profile.
The Greater Bay Area (GBA), a vast megalopolis that includes Hong Kong, Macao, and nine cities in Guangdong, such as Zhongshan and Shenzhen, offers a range of seamless travel options throughout the region. Foreign visitors can easily access Macao via its international airport or by transferring from Hong Kong International Airport through convenient bus or ferry services. Recent infrastructure upgrades have further enhanced the accessibility of the region, making it even more attractive to international visitors and event organizers.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a 24-kilometer bridge-tunnel system that began operations on June 30, has dramatically reduced travel times between Zhongshan and Shenzhen from two hours to just 30 minutes. This new sea link, in addition to the existing Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, has significantly improved connectivity between the bay area cities, opening up new possibilities for organizing multi-city events within the GBA. International visitors to the Greater Bay Area are set to benefit from recent visa policy changes that simplify travel logistics.
The introduction of the 72/144-hour visa policy has made it easier for visitors from 53 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, to enter China. This policy allows for short stays without the need for a separate visa application, making the region more accessible to international travelers. The 144-hour visa is particularly convenient, as it enables visitors without a Chinese visa to stay in Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin, as well as the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Liaoning provinces, for up to six days.
This policy creates exciting opportunities for event organizers to curate programs that combine business with cultural experiences and sightseeing across Macao, Hengqin, and other cities within the GBA. Macao’s reputation as a premier MICE destination has been further solidified by its successful hosting of major events, such as the UFI Asia Pacific Conference in March 2024. This event, which returned to the city for the second time, attracted over 300 MICE industry leaders from mainland China, Europe, and other ASEAN countries.
Building on this success, UFI has announced plans to establish Macao as its global training hub, reinforcing the city’s position as an international MICE city and driving further synergy with Hengqin. The first quarter of 2024 also saw the organization of nine Macao-Hengqin MICE and trade events, which leveraged the development synergy of both cities. A notable highlight was the 2024 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (2024MIECF), where public institutions and environmental enterprises from both Macao and Hengqin engaged in business networking and showcased innovative green technologies.
Macao’s commitment to establishing itself as a global MICE leader is further demonstrated by the appointment of 24 industry experts and leaders as new Conference Ambassadors. These ambassadors, who are influential figures in their respective fields, come from the academic and industry sectors across Macao’s four key industries: big health, high-tech, convention and trade, and culture and sports. Their mission is to promote Macao and Hengqin as premier destinations for events within their extensive networks, attracting more international conferences and exhibitions to the region.
The Macao-Hengqin partnership is not solely focused on hosting events; it is about creating unforgettable experiences. By leveraging the combined strengths of both destinations, enhancing connectivity within the Greater Bay Area, and utilizing the influence of Macao’s Conference Ambassadors, this dynamic duo is poised to become a leading destination for MICE events on the global stage. The global travel industry is likely to witness a significant shift as Macao and Hengqin continue to rise as key players in the MICE sector, offering unparalleled opportunities for event organizers and international travelers alike.
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