Conventions and Exhibitions
Macao has top-notch software and hardware facilities for conventions and exhibitions . With a large number of integrated resorts, the city provides more than 240,000 m2 of world-class international conference and exhibition venues, allowing large and high-level conferences sizing over 10,000 attendees to be held concurrently.
The development of Macao’s conventions and exhibitions Industry has gained international recognition.
In 2023 and 2024, Macao was recognised as the “Best Convention City (Asia)” and “Best BT-MICE City” for two consecutive years.
According to the report published by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) in 2023, Macao ranked the 20 th among Asia-Pacific convention cities, 34 places higher than that of 2022.
Based on the report released by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) in 2019, the market of Macao’s exhibition industry recorded a 4.2% growth, ranking among the top 10 in the Asia-Pacific region.
At present, 11 local exhibitions have obtained international accreditation from UFI, involving areas such as commerce, environmental protection, automobiles, yachts and aviation.
The influence of international conventions and exhibitions in Macao continues to grow. The city has gathered a number of renowned events.
- International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF)
- Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF)
- Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF)
- Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF)
- Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE)
- Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF)
- The international reputation and competitiveness of Macao’s conventions and exhibitions industry are constantly enhancing.
- Along with hosting a number of prestigious large-scale international MICE events hosted, Macao’s image as an international MICE city continues to grow.
Major events such as the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF) have been successfully held in Macao, steadily increasing Macao’s influence.
Commerce and Trade
- In recent years, with the implementation of various measures by the Macao SAR Government, the use of e-commerce has spread rapidly.
- In 2023, along with the strong recovery of the local economy, the transaction volume and the number of mobile payment transactions reached new highs, increasing by 12.9% and 8.8% respectively year-on-year.
- In the third quarter of 2024, the number of transactions carried out by local mobile payment tools increased by 14.6% year-on-year to 88.1 million. The transaction value totalled MOP 7.6 billion, an increment of 8.3% from the preceding year.
- As of the end of December 2023, the number of mobile payment devices and QR code holders reached over 100,000.
- With the full opening of cross-border e-commerce channels, eligible products manufactured in Macao and those from Portuguese-speaking countries represented by Macao companies, can reach consumers in Mainland China through cross-border e-commerce companies, as long as they meet the stipulated requirements.
Culture
- As an important bridge for cultural exchanges between China and the West for more than 400 years, Macao’s unique culture and history have provided a solid foundation and distinct advantages for the development of the cultural industry.
In September 2024, the Macao Special Administrative Region was honoured as the “Culture City of East Asia 2025”.
- According to Cultural Industries Statistics for 2023, there were 2,866 organisations and 13,976 employees. The total service receipts of the cultural industries amounted to MOP 8.72 billion and the gross value added to MOP 2.9 billion.
- In general, the size of the cultural industry has shown a stable development trend. In the period between 2016 and 2019, the gross value added contributed to Macao’s economy has increased at an annual rate of at least 6%.
- At present, there are 159 historical buildings in Macao registered as Classified Immovable Properties (heritage buildings) and 70 items of Intangible Cultural Heritage, including festive events and customs, gastronomic culture and local traditional crafts, which are protected by the Cultural Heritage Protection Law. Among them, 11 items were included in the Representative List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Several high-profile cultural events have been created, such as Macao Arts Festival, Macao International Music Festival, Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, “Art Macao” and hush! Concerts.
- The House of Macao Literature was also established, further enriching the city’s cultural environment.
The Macao SAR Government is seeking support from relevant departments of the Central Government to develop Macao’s performing arts events and build Macao into a “City of Performing Arts” in line with Macao’s strategic positioning as “One Base”.
Sport
There are a number of distinctive international sports tourism events in Macao, such as Macau Grand Prix, Macao International Marathon and WTT Champions Macao. By strengthening the co-operation between local companies, associations and institutions, the sports industry has been used as a platform to promote the tourism development, and to promote the deep integration between sports, tourism and related industries, in order to increase the synergy effects of “Sports+”.
The Macao SAR Government is striving to build Macao into a “City of Sports” by launching more high-profile large sports events, and creating sporting brands with Macao characteristics.
