Macau needs to find its own niche

The recent G2E Asia 2016 conference has reportedly reached record-breaking attendance in its 10th year, attracting nearly 11,000 visitors from 83 countries and regions, up by 11 percent over last year.
According to the executive vice president of Reeds Exhibition Greater China, Josephine Lee, there were about 950 buyers and decision makers with purchasing power.
Lee revealed that over 713 conference delegates attended the exposition’s seminars, which represents an 8.5 percent increase from last year.
“Yes, [we] very much look forward to the next one, we already had a number of new ideas in mind that will bring another exciting G2E Asia back to Macau next year,” concluded Lee.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Paul Beh, President of Reed Exhibitions, Asia-Pacific Region, told the Times that Macau needs to find its own niche, as different cities have already developed their MICE industry in their own ways.
Beh claimed that cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore do not have a large base of industry, yet big events can be found in those cities.
He stressed that the two regions have harnessed their infrastructure, communications, international airport links and accessibility.
“Not necessarily because they have a big industry there, but over the years they have proven to be very efficient,” Beh emphasized.
The president also believes that the under-construction Macau Light Rail Transit and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge would further create “great accessibility” in terms of bringing exhibitions, conferences and non-gaming activities to the city.
Moreover, Beh stressed that Macau and Las Vegas are distinct cities that are incomparable. Though he said that Vegas has been a successful model for Macau, he believes that the MSAR could also be effective in both the gaming and non-gaming industries.
“There are a lot of non-gaming activities [in Macau]. MICE supports gaming and gaming supports MICE. They go hand in hand,” he said.
Speaking about the recent gaming downturn in Asia’s Las Vegas, Beh said, “Gone are the days when gaming revenues in Macau are going up by 25 to 30 percent.”
He advocated that a more realistic increase would be in the single-digit range, adding that the industry will still grow but not at the same pace as before. Staff reporter