Macau Resorts

Home arrow Macau for Business Travelers Thursday, 11 March 2010
Macau for Business Travelers

MACAU DRESS CODE:
When conducting business in Macau China, people always dress smartly. Men are required to wear suits, and a suit or a tailored dress is appropriate for women. Many of the more expensive Macau restaurants will stipulate certain attire.

GREETING SOMEONE IN MACAU:
Handshaking is the most common form of greeting, with a slight bow or nod, which is a sign of respect. Business cards are considered very important in China, especially for those conducting business in Macau. It is a good idea to have a Chinese translation printed upon the back of your card. There is a set way that business cards are presented; they should be exchanged upon first meeting somebody, using both hands (Chinese translation uppermost), with a slight bow or forward nod of the head.

MACAU BUSINESS HOURS AND BANKING:
In Macau China, banks, offices and government departments are open Monday to Saturday. Most will open for business at around 08:30, close for lunch from 12:00 to 14:00, and reopen until around 17:30. Many branches of the Bank of China open Sunday morning, but some will close on Wednesday afternoon.

MACAU SMOKING:
Macau restaurants offer areas that cater to those who smoke and those who don't, with some operating complete No-Smoking policies. There is a ban on smoking on public transportation and the visitor should observe this, even if the locals often do not. In business, it is advisable to refrain and take cues from the host.

MACAU TIPPING ADVICE:
Tipping in Macau hotels and businesses is very important. Waiters and waitresses will expect around ten percent of the bill. Even when there is a service charge already included, it is still customary to leave a small amount. Macau taxi drivers tend to mark up the fare to the nearest pataca, and if not, will appreciate a little extra. Bellboys, porters and toilet attendants will also expect a small tip.

CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS:
Macau’s major meeting venues include the Conference Center at the University of Macau (with seating for up to 764), the Forum (a multipurpose complex with seating for up to 4035), the Macau Tourist Activities and Conference Center (with seating for up to 600) and Macau Landmark (featuring a unique ‘skyroof’). The majority of hotels have facilities, with additional support services provided by the World Trade Centre. At the Mandarin Oriental Macau’s Learning Center , for example, meetings staff specialize in recreational and team building activities, including rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, Tyrolean, chasm – and even a full size flying trapeze.  

A new cultural center was inaugurated in March 1999 on the Outer Harbor waterfront. It includes two auditoria, one seating 1200 people and the other 500 people. The territory’s newest convention venue is the conference center in the Macau Tower, the world’s 10th tallest building. The tower also features a revolving restaurant, an entertainment area and shopping facilities.  

Steve Adelson, the mastermind of the Las Vegas Sands, who is developing The Venetian Macau and the Cotai Strip, is specifically focused on catering to the group and business travel sector. His Venetian Macau resort will do exactly that, at a time when economic and travel restrictions from mainland China are lifting. Macau, which is within a 6-hour airline flight for half the world’s population, is the only place gambling is legal in China. As business opportunities continue to expand in the area, the MICE market (Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibits) is expected to come along for the ride. According to Adelson, “It’s like a firecracker. They’ve lit the fuse, and it is ready to explode.” Services designed for Macau business travelers are set to expand and improve rapidly as these remarkable economic developments continue.