Macao, a leading MICE destination in Asia, offers world-class infrastructure and convenient access to Hengqin and other cities in the Greater Bay Area. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/orpheus26
A new MICE powerhouse is emerging in the heart of the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Macao and Hengqin, two world-class MICE destinations just five minutes apart, are redefining what it means to host world-class business events in Asia, providing brand-new venues and memorable group activity options for event organisers.
Macao excels in integrated leisure tourism, MICE, and finance, while Hengqin is as a regional hub for China’s sci-tech research & development, high-end manufacturing, and traditional Chinese medicine industries — creating a compelling MICE option that complement the strengths of both cities.
The launch of the MICE² Macao x Hengqin joint development partnership, jointly spearheaded by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR (IPIM) and the Economic Development Bureau of Hengqin, has anchored the region as an events hub and gateway to mainland China.
Connectivity that means business
With enchanced infrastructure in the Greater Bay Area, accessing Macao is now easier than ever, whether by road or by air. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/zhao dongfangThe Greater Bay Area (GBA), a megalopolis encompassing Hong Kong, Macao and nine cities of Guangdong — including Zhongshan and Shenzhen, offers seamless travel options throughout the region. Foreign visitors can easily access Macao from its international airport or transfer from Hong Kong International Airport via bus or ferry.
Recent infrastructure upgrades have further enhanced the region’s accessibility. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a 24km bridge-tunnel system that began operations on 30 June, has slashed travel times between Zhongshan and Shenzhen from two hours to a mere 30 minutes.
For nearby Macao, this new sea-link, alongside the existing Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, has boosted connectivity between the bay area cities and opened new possibilities for multi-city events within the GBA.
Simplified travel for international visitors
China’s existing visa policies are aimed at simplifying business and travel experiences in Macao, Hengqin (pictured) and the Guangdong province. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/WeimingThe 72/144-hour visa policy introduced has facilitated easier travel to China for international visitors, allowing foreigners from 53 countries including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore to travel with ease.
Interestingly, the 144-hour convenient visa also allows for 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 without a separate visa application.
These policies simplify travel logistics and create exciting possibilities for event organisers to curate programmes that combine business with cultural experiences and sightseeing across Macao, Hengqin and the rest of the GBA cities.
Where premier events come to play
A highlight in Macao’s 2024 events calendar is UFI Asia Pacific Conference, which attracted over 300 MICE industry leaders from across Asia, Europe, and beyond. Photo Credit: IPIMMacao’s growing reputation as a MICE destination is cemented by the successful hosting of notable events such as the UFI Asia Pacific Conference in March 2024. Returning to the city for the second time, the event 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, solidifying the city’s position as an international MICE city and bringing new momentus to its synergistic development with Hengqin.
The first quarter of 2024 also saw the organisation of nine Macao-Hengqin MICE and trade events, leveraging the “1+1>2” development synergy of both cities. A highlight of this period 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 their green technologies innovation.
A new league of visionaries
Macao has appointed 24 industry experts and leaders as new Conference Ambassadors. These ambassadors are sector leaders or influencers in their fields, from academic and industry sectors across Macao’s four key industries: big health, high-tech, convention and trade, culture and sports. Leadership in these industries, as well as the China-Portuguese-speaking countries platform in the destination, are set to put Macao on the global MICE map.
Macao has introduced its latest batch of Conference Ambassadors, all experts in their own respective fields, to promote the city’s MICE possibilities to the world. Photo Credit: IPIMEach ambassador’s mission will be to promote Macao and Hengqin as a premier destination for events to their extensive networks and respective industries, and to attract more international conferences and exhibitions to be hosted in Macao and Hengqin.
The Macao-Hengqin partnership isn't just about hosting events — it’s about creating experiences. By leveraging the destinations’ combined strengths, enhanced GBA connectivity, and through the clout of Macao’s Conference Ambassadors, this dynamic city duo is set to become the go-to destination for MICE events on the global stage.
Visit MICE² MACAO x HENGQIN, or email [email protected] to explore how your next event can benefit from these game-changing destinations.
This article is brought to you by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR.