An Assessment of the Human Resources Challenges of Macao's Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition (MICE) Industry

Abstract

In 2012, 13 years after its handover back to China, Macao's gaming industry revenue had surpassed the gross gaming revenues from all of the United States’ commercial casinos. Since gaming liberalization in 2002, Macao has become increasingly reliant on this industry. Macao's tourism industry was generating over 80% of its public revenue by 2012 and mostly from gaming. With increasing calls to diversify Macao's tourism beyond gaming, this article examined opinions from experts connected to the emerging meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition (MICE) sector. The research revealed that present human resources challenges were a notable obstacle to the further development of this industry and ultimately to the diversification of Macao's economy. Highlighting the challenges and integrating comments from industry experts, the article also provided implications and suggestions to move the MICE industry forward.