MICE industry sees 70% job recovery

The MICE industry has seen a 40% recovery in workforce handling jobs, recovering to 70% of pre-Covid times, local media has reported.

The local trade has suggested the government, the education sector and private associations invest efforts in recruitment.

Lo Wang Chun, president of the Macau Federal Commercial Association of Convention and Exhibition Industry, told local publication Macao Daily News that, with the return to normal, the government has invested a lot in attracting tourists and increased arrivals have proven the government’s efforts effective.

As the economy has grown faster than market expectations, all trades have been struggling with labor shortages to cope with the pace of recovery. This has included the MICE trade, Lo said, but recruitments have not been successful in the past months.

Under Covid-19 restrictions, the MICE industry had seen many leaving the workforce, especially experienced workers, he said.

He said some companies had started recruiting by the end of last year, offering remuneration plans nearing pre-Covid levels, but they had been unable to hire enough people. Their offers started from MOP12,000 per month for entry-level positions to over MOP20,000 for managerial posts.

There were many interns, Lo added, but they decided to leave the company after their internships.

Smaller MICE operators are competing with resort operators, with the latter on the verge of further upgrading or expanding their MICE facilities, Lo said.

Lo highlighted the importance of advanced preparations for upcoming events as many are returning to Macau after the return of normalcy. He suggested more job-matching sessions targeting the MICE trade be held.

In addition, he said the industry has been considering relocating certain work to outside of Macau to ease pressure on the workforce.