Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes met today (21) at the Russian capital the chairman of Moscow City Government Committee on Tourism and Hotel Industry, Sergei Shpilko. The Moscow Tourism chairman highlighted the relevance of Russia-China tourism relations and said he is looking forward to see this close cooperation also being extended to Macau.

During the meeting, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Sergei Shpilko, briefed each other on the tourism industry development situation of their respective destinations, and discussed about possibilities to enhance tourism cooperation relations.

Sergei Shpilko remarked that Russia attaches great relevance to its tourism cooperation relations with China. He noted that 2012 was "The Year of Russian Tourism in China" and 2013 is "The Year of Chinese Tourism in Russia", with Russia giving great relevance to the boost of China and Russia tourism cooperation, and hopes that this good tourism cooperation can also be extended to Macau.

The also chairman of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry - entity which fosters development of international cooperation for the Russian tourism industry - Sergei Shpilko suggested to MGTO to study the possibility of organizing a mega familiarization trip of Russian travel operators to Macau, in order to provide a platform for travel trade of both sides to conduct business contacts directly and discuss cooperation opportunities.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes talked about the promotional plans for the Russian market following the opening of a representative office in the country, pointing out that Moscow city will be the first marketing target for MGTO to attract Russian visitors to Macau, with the next step expected to be the Eastern part of Russia, where potential travelers are more keen to travel to Asian destinations. MGTO director mentioned also that she expects to attract Russian visitors to visit not only Macau, but also to see the city as part of a leisure and business multi-destination itinerary that also includes Guangdong and Hong Kong.

The mutual visa free policy is in force between Macau and Russia since October 2012. MGTO has opened a representative office in Moscow this year to tap into the potential of the Russian tourism market and to diversify visitor source market.

MGTO organized a dinner yesterday (20) to foster networking and exchange between the Russian and Macau travel trade at one of the historical hotels located in Moscow's Red Square area.  Taking advantage of the peak season for tourism industry trade shows at the Russian capital, MGTO organized a number of events to promote Macau as a leisure and business tourism destination for Russian travellers.