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Tourism plays an important role in many countries and regions around the world, an industry which generates a powerful influence on the global economy. In Macao, the tourism industry now rides on the momentum of innovative thinking and technology to develop a broader range of tourism products, services and visitor source markets while enhancing cooperation with its regional and international partners. The industry is pursuing the direction in line with the Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government’s aim to build the city into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, as part of its ultimate goal to transform Macao into ‘One Centre and One Platform’ so that the local economy can thrive towards moderate diversification and sustainable development.
The 4th MITE exhibition area covered 6,800 sqm with 350 booths, covering all the major elements within the tourism industry chain including food and beverages, accommodation, transportation, entertainment, travel and shopping. It also included tourism extension services, travel media, tourism e-business and tourism-related technologies. The exhibitors were mainly travel agents and tourism organisations, scenic spots, airlines, cruises and hotels from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas. Top hotels included 5 Sands properties – Sands Macao, The Venetian Macao, Conrad Macao Cotai Central, Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central, The Parisian Macao; Galaxy Macao; Macao Studio City; Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip; Hotel Lisboa; St Regis Macao Cotai Central, Wynn Palace among others.
Alex Lao, President of Macao Travel Agency Association commented: “MITE provides a platform for ‘Multi-destination Travel’ and ‘Travel Street’ to exhibitors, professional buyers and public visitors with product promotion and professional presentations. The 350 standard booths available in the exhibition hall had been overbooked. We will actively explore the potential, to enhance capacity of the exhibition service and to improve the function of the event in a pragmatic and flexible manner.”
The 4th MITE also aimed to promote Macao’s tourism resources and products by demonstrating the city’s capability to host professional travel fair. The expo showed the capabilities of Macao in holding professional tourism exhibitions, which has actively responded to the SAR government’s objective of building up Macao into a global tourism and leisure centre.
The event also provided the latest and most authoritative industry information plus business cooperation programmes from international destinations and Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Japan for exhibitors, trade visitors and travel enthusiasts.
On the sidelines of exhibition, a ‘China-Portugal Tourism Seminar & Networking’ was held using the full advantage of Macao being the platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to build a communication network channel for tourism industry operators from China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Pedro Costa Ferreira, President of Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies stated that Macao is historically an important destination for the Portuguese tourism market and has recently brought new and extraordinary opportunities that open up through the relationship with China, both as a source market and as a tourist destination. He added that the networking event witnessed the presence of two significant delegations from Portugal and China, which will be the engine that stimulates business development of both destinations.
MGTO India office handpicked a 10-member team with balanced mix of travel trade and media to attend the expo as well as to experience the best tourism products Macao has to offer – Casino experience at the luxury hotels, visit to the Ruins of St Paul’s, walk through the Taipa village, street shopping and dining at the Senado Square, watch international fireworks competition in the sea area in front of Macau Tower, enjoy the Broadway shows, especially world famous The House of Dancing Waters at the City of Dreams besides high street shopping at the world famous Grand Canal Shoppes.
“India is a very big country and we still have a lot of people to attract. We have conducted a few successful big fat Indian weddings here. They are by themselves testimonies to bring more Indian weddings to Macao. We just need to get the message going out by working closely with travel trade, traditional media as well as by focusing on digital platform. Our Master Plan will be ready by the first half of 2017 which will showcase the blueprint of development of tourism in Macao. With sustainability as one of the key factors, green tourism and green hotels are being strongly encouraged in Macao. In the near future we hope to see a remarkable demographic change in the Indian tourist arrivals in Macao, ” said Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macao Government Tourism Office.
“Every year we try to engage our consumers and trade partners in a variety of activities. We are targeting Macao to honeymooners, solo women travellers, families and all who want to celebrate and have a good exciting holiday. We are also in talks with various other partners to collaborate and reach out to our audience via radio, billboards, Bollywood association and more targeted mediums,’ concluded Arzan Khambatta, Head of India Representative Office, Macao Government Tourism Office.
Source: travelnewsdigest.in