Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) hosts spring banquets and travel marts in Taipei and Kaohsiung today and tomorrow, taking this chance to introduce MGTO's main working goals this year to local media and travel trade while providing networking and cooperation opportunities for industry partners from Macau and Taiwan.

MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and about 20 travel trade delegates set off from Macau for spring-festival group visits and promotion activities in Taipei and Kaohsiung on 24 – 25 February. The program includes travel mart, media luncheon, trade dinner and trade award ceremony, etc. During the visit, MGTO introduces its working goals in 2014 as well as its projects and schemes for Taiwan market. The activities are held to facilitate cooperation and exchange opportunities between industry partners from both destinations. The Office also presents awards to encourage Taiwan trade to keep promoting Macau as a travel destination.

Head of Macau Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan, China, Nadia Leong Kit Chi; Chairman of Travel Agent Association of Taiwan and Taipei Association of Travel Agents, Louis Hsu; Deputy Director of Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association Taipei Office, Li Jianping attended the trade dinner in Taipei.

Director Senna Fernandes commented that despite inauguration of direct flights across the Straits, the number of flights between Taiwan and Macau has dropped to certain extent; nonetheless, the ratio of overnight stay visitors and hotel overnight guests from Taiwan keeps growing in Macau, having almost doubled over the past five years. Macau has gradually become a leisure tourism destination worthy of a longer trip in Taiwanese visitors' perspective, a phenomenon that can be attributed to the concerted efforts of the trade, media and MGTO.

With the signing of "Air Transport Agreement between Macao and Taiwan", it is expected that more airlines can provide flight service between Macau and Taiwan. The Office will also enhance its cooperation with airlines and travel agencies in Taiwan market, suggesting fun ideas of exploration in Macau and various itineraries ranging from cultural, festive to shopping tour packages which are tailor-made for different niche audiences like "family visitors", "office workers", "female visitors", "newlyweds" and "silver peers" so that any types of visitors can enjoy a trip in Macau which accommodates their interest. In addition, the Office will continue to promote multi-destination tour products and in particular, launch a new Macau – Hengqin tour route riding on the opening of Chimelong's theme park in Hengqin this year. Visitors can therefore explore both cities as a new and diverse experience.

MGTO will visit Kaohsiung along with Macau trade delegates on 25 February and host a banquet for local media and trade. The Office will also organize a travel mart for industry partners from both destinations to explore and discuss business opportunities. In the end, the Office hopes that more residents in Southern Taiwan will find it a fascinating idea to visit Macau.