Photo: Economic Development Bureau of Hengqin
Hengqin is ramping up efforts to position itself as a premier destination for cultural tourism and the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, with new initiatives aimed at strengthening regional cooperation with Macao and international competitiveness.
At a recent tourism and MICE industry information session held at the Hengqin Citizen Service Center, more than 120 representatives from Hengqin and Macao gathered to discuss the latest trends and upcoming plans for 2025. Organized by the Economic Development Bureau of Hengqin, the event served as a platform to enhance collaboration and outline strategies to drive the industry's growth.
Photo: Economic Development Bureau of Hengqin
Vic Lam, Chief of the Division of Tourism, MICE and Commerce of the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, highlighted the progress made in 2024 and detailed the key priorities for the coming year. He emphasized that Hengqin would continue to expand support for the sector, with a vision to establish itself as a globally recognized hub for cultural tourism and exhibitions.
The Macao Fair & Trade Association announced plans to introduce six international MICE training programs in 2025, aimed at enhancing the professionalism and global competitiveness of industry practitioners in Hengqin. Representatives from various cultural tourism and MICE projects in Hengqin showcased their latest offerings, highlighting their facilities and future development plans through multimedia presentations and live demonstrations.
The cooperation zone has already hosted over 30 events under the "One Exhibition, Two Locations" model, leveraging both Macao and Hengqin's strengths. Moving forward, efforts will be made to enhance Hengqin's infrastructure and supporting services, positioning the area as an extension of Macao's MICE sector while fostering deeper integration between the two regions.
In the tourism sector, Hengqin plans to make the most of policies that allow easier travel between the regions. These include options for groups to enter and exit together, as well as permits that allow multiple entries into Macao. By working closely with Macao's tourism authorities, Hengqin aims to create travel experiences that combine the unique attractions of both regions. This will include developing cross-border travel routes that allow tourists to visit multiple destinations in one trip. The goal is to strengthen the integration of Hengqin and Macao's tourism industries, making the market more dynamic and connected for the benefit of both regions.