Macau, a hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) events, is poised for a vibrant season ahead. The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) announced last week 40 upcoming MICE events through December this year, anticipated to draw a combined total of 400,000 participants.
In the first half of 2023, Macau has already exceeded its MICE event count from the previous year. With over 490 MICE events held and more than 700,000 attendees, this marks a substantial year-on-year increase of about 50% during the same time frame.
Among the notable events held was the 10th World Economic Forum on Tourism, which attracted over 14,000 on-site attendees and more than 2.3 million online participants from 95 countries across six continents.
These upcoming 40 MICE events encompass a wide range of themes, including finance, healthcare, technology, tourism, and sports, reflecting the sector's rapid recovery since Macau's border reopening on Jan. 8.
Notable events on the horizon include the China-Portuguese-Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Expo (Macau), the 28th Macao International Trade & Investment Fair, and the Macao Franchise Expo, all slated for October. Additionally, the 2023 Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum is set to take place in November.
Looking ahead, IPIM predicts a substantial surge in Macau's MICE sector for the upcoming year, with expectations of hosting approximately 1,500 events. This projection represents a remarkable 50% increase compared to the current year, underlining Macau's evolving role as a MICE destination.
