Macau’s tourism body has launched an ‘Incentive Travel Stimulation Programme’ to encourage more business groups to meet in the enclave.
The year-long scheme is aimed at planners who organise incentive activities, including teambuilding and award dinners, that bring a minimum of 50 non-local participants who stay at least two consecutive nights in a Macau hotel.
Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) said a maximum support of around US$38 per participant would be provided. Perks include admission to the enclave’s wine museum and Grand Prix Museum.
Joao Manuel Costa Antunes, director of MGTO, said the scheme was an extension of the ‘Strategic MICE Stimulation Programme’. However, Antunes said MICE would continue to come under the regional government’s economic services department this year.
“Incentives are connected more with the tourism industry, so come under the umbrella of the MGTO,” he said, adding that more conventions and exhibitions were planned.
Antunes said Macau’s strategy of supporting its conventions and exhibitions industry in 2011 saw 379 events attracting 2 million participants. The programme also saw 168 incentive trips that brought 53,000 visitors between January and October 2011.