Macao is a region without replica – unlike the 96-metre Big Ben model in the city centre. Jutting out from the coastal region are some of the longest, most expensive bridge networks in the world, granting access to Hong Kong, Zhuhai and more. Macao is connected to the island of Hengqin, in what the local authorities term a ‘dual-city’.
With a centuries-old heritage of Portuguese culture and bustling finance industry, old and new infrastructure is stacked on top of one another. Organisers will find the hotel-resorts and Michelin restaurants typical of Las Vegas, neo-classical churches common to Lisbon and traditional pagoda-style temples native to mainland China.
Here are some of the features drawing organisers to Macao:
Dual-city link with Hengqin
A 20-minute drive from Macao, Hengqin Island is what the Chinese authorities have called an ‘In-Depth Cooperation Zone’. Three bridges connect the Macao Peninsula with Taipa Island, which is in turn connected to Hengqin. It used to be that Hengqin was separated into two islands – Xiaohengqin and Dahengqin (or Dom João and Montanha, to the Portuguese who once settled there). By a process called land reclamation, the two islands were joined into one.
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, HengqinWith Hengqin Island, local authorities aim to create an ‘Orlando’ to Macao’s ‘Las Vegas’. In 2005, Las Vegas Sands discussed its multibillion-dollar project to develop parts of Hengqin Island into a convention and resort destination, with plans to create over 4m sqft of convention space, hotels, retail and golf courses.
Another entertainment centre, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, was opened in 2014, featuring water rides and marine animal shows. In 2017, it became the 11th most visited theme park in the world in 2017 – and the most visited park that isn’t owned by Disney or Universal.
Relaxed visa policy
Macao is very liberal with its visa policy. Most nationalities are either visa-exempt or receive a visa on arrival. 81 countries, including the USA, Canada, UK and most European countries are exempted from visa requirements.
Authorities have also introduced the Convenient Visa, which is a 144-hour visa for the wider Guangdong area, available to visitors of Macao or Hong Kong. The visa grants access to Guangzhou, Foshan, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Dongguan, Zhuhai and Shantou City. Foreign nationals of 53 countries are eligible, including major European and North American countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the UAE.
Connectivity to the Greater Bay Area powerhouse
It’s not just Hong Kong; Macao is connected to a series of rapidly growing Chinese megacities. To the north, the cities of Zhongshan (GDP of $53bn), Zhuhai ($39bn) and Foshan ($147bn). To the east, Hong Kong ($340bn), Shenzhen ($345bn), Dongguan ($117bn) and Huizou ($59bn). In total, a GDP equivalent to Russia in an area about the size of Costa Rica.
In economic terms, it is a megalopolis, or supercity – a network of cities conjoined into one giant, urban area by economic and transport links. The Greater Bay Area (GBA) is also referred to as the Pearl River Delta. All the major cities of the GBA are dotted around the mouth of the river, where it meets the South China Sea.
Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link
One of many transport links in the GBA, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is a bridge-tunnel stretching 50km across the Pearl River. Even in a country known for gigantic infrastructure projects, the bridge was a standout achievement.
Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge, Guangdong, ChinaIt cost $6.7bn, making it one of the most expensive bridges in the world. The tunnel section is one of the world’s longest underwater tunnels, equipped with traffic cameras, satellite navigation and robots. During construction, the builders claimed a record by paving over 22,000sqm in a single day (equivalent of over 50 basketball courts).
The sea link has slashed travel times between Shenzhen and Zhongshan from 2 hours to 30 minutes. It represents a major win for Zhongshan, which is now much more accessible from the more developed eastern bank of the Pearl River Delta.
Despite its credentials, it isn’t the world’s longest sea bridge. That accolade belongs to the 55km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, just 32km away.
The GBA’s extensive network of transit links are intended to position the region as tourism and events hub, as well as an economic supercity. Visitors can experience a futuristic Chinese megaproject, and organisers can create multi-venue, multi-area events.
Macao Conference Ambassadors
The Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR (IPIM) held the ‘Macao Conference Ambassador’ Award Ceremony in June 2024. 24 leading figures from major industries and academic experts were designated as ‘Macao Conference Ambassadors’.
These ambassadors are planning to introduce international conferences related to their industries – principally, the four key industries of big health, high-tech, convention and trade and culture and sport. The government of Macao have drawn up a ‘1+4’ development strategy, which positions Macao’s Portuguese heritage as the ‘1’, added to the ‘4’ key industries.
Macao Conference Ambassadors Award Ceremony 2024With government support, conference venues have been able to secure events such as August, they will introduce the most influential society for Chinese medicine from Europe – The Good Practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Association – in Macao.
Earning the title ‘Best Convention City in Asia’
The M&C Asia Connections, Asia’s premier convention and exhibition matchmaking event, was held in Macao for the first time on 3 to 4 September, during which the M&C Asia Stella Awards ceremony took place.
The M&C Asia Stella Awards is voted on by industry professionals, organisers, and individuals closely related to the exhibition industry. This year, the awards were presented in six categories, with a total of 29 awards. In 2023, Macao SAR (Special Administrative Region) was selected as the “Best Convention City” in Asia.
The organising body stated that the award is testament to the pursuit of excellence by Macao’s exhibition team and the dedication of the Macao SAR to developing the exhibition industry.
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, recently held its Asia-Pacific Conference 2024 in Macao at The Parisian Macao. UFI Asia-Pacific regional director Mark Cochrane commented on the event: “This was our first time bringing this event to Macau since 2008. Both Macau and its MICE industry have grown remarkably since then.
UFI Asia-Pacific Conference 2024“This year’s conference was particularly successful in bringing together UFI members and industry leaders from around the region, including approximately 150 from Greater China.”
One of the key topics addressed at the congress was the emergence of new opportunities in the GBA, in particular the cities of Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
China’s Las Vegas (minus the desert)
Outstripping Las Vegas in gambling revenue by about three times, Macao is the casino capital of Asia – if not the world. Unlike its Nevadan counterpart, though, Macao isn’t an island surrounded by a barren desert. Macao is an island in an archipelago; a node in one of the most interconnected metropolitan regions in the world.
With a relaxed visa policy for foreign visitors and extensive transport links across the GBA, Macao offers delegates the chance to see and experience more over the course of their stay. Organisers choosing Macao can create event activations across the cities of Hengqin, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhongshan and more.
As the GBA grows, Macao is becoming an international gateway to the markets of China and Asia Pacific. Delegates visiting the region can come for the Vegas experience,
