• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Saturday 14 June 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

Half of Macau’s 2020 MICE events impacted by COVID-19

Jane Ka Cheng Wong by Jane Ka Cheng Wong
Wed 1 Apr 2020 at 05:24
Thriller in  Manila
90
SHARES
2.2k
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Over 500 exhibitions and conventions have been either cancelled or postponed in Macau through March 2020 due to the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but a leading industry representative believes it will recover in the second half of the year.

Managing Director of the Macau Convention and Exhibition Association, Alan Ho, told Inside Asian Gaming that 2020 was expected to be a busy year for the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry, with over 1,500 exhibitions and conventions planned, but up to 50% of those are expected to be impacted by coronavirus with all events having so far come to a standstill.

Several large-scale MICE events have been cancelled since the outbreak of COVID-19, including the Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition held annually by the SAR government. Others, such as G2E Asia – currently re-scheduled from mid-May to late July – have been postponed to later dates.

Managing Director of the Macau Convention and Exhibition Association, Alan Ho

Ho noted that the MICE industry in Macau relies heavily on international business and is therefore heavily impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19 in Europe and America.

“It has had a significant negative impact on the MICE industry in Macau in the short and medium term,” Ho said.

“The pausing of the MICE industry has also created a knock-on effect not only on the tourism, hotels, dining and retail sectors, but also on advertising, financial, logistics as well as architectural industries. MICE events play an important role in driving forward-looking corporations, planning and developments in various industries, but all of those have stopped now.”

Last year, the spending of visitors heading to Macau for MICE events rose by 7.8% to MOP$3,781, compared with an average spend from other visitors of just MOP$1,626.

Despite the impact of such loss of business, Ho said he remains confident the sector will enjoy a strong rebound in the latter half of the year.

“Most of our MICE events are special and unique functions compared with others, and we have complementary development to avoid overlapping with Hong Kong and other nearby regions,” Ho added. “The position of Macau’s MICE is competitive enough and irreplaceable. For example, G2E Asia is the one and only gaming related exhibition in the greater China area. It will attract many people to come to Macau after this epidemic.

“Most of the MICE operators also have a consensus between each other, so even though most events will delay for two or three months, a mass clash is unlikely to happen.

“We’ve already asked hotels and venue operators to reschedule our bookings as well. If the epidemic can end in the second half of this year, we can have a better recovery in the fourth quarter.”

Ho emphasized the importance of finding more cooperative opportunities with Zhuhai city and the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to share resources and extend Macau’s influence.

“The epidemic situation in mainland China is much better than other places in the world, so we need the support from the mainland,” he said.

“We plan to start the annual ‘Dynamic Macao Business and Trade Fair’ in Qingdao city in July, and then we are going to launch more characteristic events with the GBA. We can share venues, introduce guests and customers to each other and drive our hotels and expenditures together.”

Ho revealed the SAR government is planning measures aimed at supporting the MICE industry, with an announcement expected in the near future.

RelatedPosts

Inside Thai IRs

Sands China completes full redemption of US$1.63 billion in notes due 2025

Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 05:57
Macau International Airport to expand into Taipa Ferry Terminal as passenger numbers keep rising

Macau to open up aviation market to more airlines in February 2026

Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 04:32
Macau sports betting concessionaire Macau SLOT sees profit grow 32% to US$15.7 million in 2021

Government says renewal of sports betting operator Macau Slot’s concession dependent on reducing foreign employees

Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 04:26
Morgan Stanley: Macau’s peninsula IRs could claim some GGR share from closure of SJM’s satellites

Morgan Stanley: Macau’s peninsula IRs could claim some GGR share from closure of SJM’s satellites

Thu 12 Jun 2025 at 12:54
Load More
Tags: Alan Hoconferences and exhibitionsCoronaviruscovid-19MacauMacau Convention and Exhibition AssociationMICE
Share38Share6
Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong is a journalist who joined Inside Asian Gaming after working for local Macau media for many years. As part of the IAG team she covers Macau-based stories relating to politics, gaming, IRs and local associations among other topics. Jane is intrigued by unique scenarios, vibrant cultures and different people, and hopes to continue exploring new places around the world in the future.

Current Issue

Editorial – Foreigner-only casinos: Seize the day

Editorial – Foreigner-only casinos: Seize the day

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 29 May 2025 at 13:38

I was recently asked by someone working at a foreigner-only casino for my thoughts on the outlook for the Asian...

On the brink

On the brink

by Pierce Chan
Thu 29 May 2025 at 13:27

The transition period for Macau’s 11 satellite casinos is set to expire at the end of this year, after which...

A moral defense of gambling

A moral defense of gambling

by Andrew Russell
Wed 28 May 2025 at 18:19

Economist Andrew Russell explores the differences between community benefit and in-principle arguments for the existence of a legal gambling industry...

Face to face

Face to face

by Ben Blaschke
Wed 28 May 2025 at 18:08

Konami caught the eye at the recent G2E Asia show in Macau with its SYNK Vision Tables, which utilize facial...

Evolution Asia
Aristocrat
GLI
Mindslot
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
Nustar
Jumbo
568Win

Related Posts

Greg Hawkins named Acting COO of Bloomberry and Solaire following Arasi departure

Greg Hawkins takes on permanent role as President and COO of Solaire parent Bloomberry Resorts Corp

by Ben Blaschke
Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 09:31

Bloomberry Resorts Corp, operator of the Philippines’ leading integrated resort brand Solaire, has confirmed the appointment of Greg Hawkins as Director, President and Chief Operating Officer at a board meeting held earlier this week. Hawkins had previously served as Acting...

Inside Thai IRs

Sands China completes full redemption of US$1.63 billion in notes due 2025

by Newsdesk
Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 05:57

Sands China Ltd, the Macau-facing subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands Corp, has completed full redemption of US$1.63 billion in outstanding notes due 2025. In a filing, the company confirmed that the notes were redeemed in full on 11 June and...

NSW state government moves to ban political donations from any clubs offering gambling

Report finds regulation of NSW gaming machines ineffective in supporting harm minimization outcomes

by Ben Blaschke
Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 05:45

A report by the NSW Auditor-General into the regulation of gaming machines has found that efforts by the state’s regulatory bodies to oversee the industry are not supporting harm minimization outcomes effectively. The detailed 47-page report, published Thursday, listed a...

Macau International Airport to expand into Taipa Ferry Terminal as passenger numbers keep rising

Macau to open up aviation market to more airlines in February 2026

by Pierce Chan
Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 04:32

The Macau Legislative Assembly (AL) has completed discussions on a new aviation bill, which is expected to take effect in February 2026. At that time, Macau’s aviation market will become fully open and the exclusive operating system no longer in...



IAG

© 2005-2024
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 中文

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 中文
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2024
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • 中文
  • English