MGTO and WTCM sign Protocol of Cooperation to jointly develop and promote the M.I.C.E. industry

The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and World Trade Center Macau, S.A.R.L. (WTCM) have signed a Protocol of Cooperation to jointly develop the "Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions" (M.I.C.E.) industry of Macau.

The signing ceremony was held Monday, in the Lotus Room of WTCM, with MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes and President Alberto Expedito Marçal of the Executive Committee of WTCM signatories on behalf of the two parties. The Protocol of Cooperation is effective upon the date of its signing.

The scope of Cooperation includes: the organization of and/or participation in promotional and marketing activities abroad and/or in Macau; the organization of training courses in order to develop skilled personnel to meet the prominent needs of the market; and the organization of research and specific studies.

Engineer Antunes expressed that "gaming and tourism industry is the main direction and policy for the Macau's economy. In keeping with the liberalization of gaming concessions in Macau, the tourism industry will stride forward for a multi-faceted development. M.I.C.E. tourism brings in high consumption tourists, and the promotion of the M.I.C.E. industry will help to strengthen the position of Macau as an international city."

According to the Protocol of Cooperation, both MGTO and WTCM will formulate a master plan, covering areas such as research and studies, training programmes, promotion and marketing. Moreover, both parties will hold regular meetings in order to update or introduce the necessary amendments or adjustments to the master plan, taking into account the actual environmental conditions.

Dr. Marçal indicated that "with WTCA's (World Trade Centers Association) international network and other advantages, we hope to further develop and promote Macau's M.I.C.E. market in our cooperation with the MGTO."

Being an affiliated member of the World Trade Centers Association, WTCM will take full advantage of the potentials offered by the WTC Association's worldwide network such as their database regarding the latest information on market studies, statistics and support services as well as business opportunities, to assist MGTO to develop and promotion the M.I.C.E. industry.

MGTO and WTCM will continuously upgrade the knowledge of their personnel by participating in related training programmes, to ensure that the M.I.C.E. industry will develop under the best possible conditions.