Visitor arrivals picked up a steady upward trend in Macao. Provisional figures revealed that Macao registered 28,100 visitor arrivals on the day of New Year’s Eve (31 December), the highest single-day record ever since 1 October, the National Day. Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has planned a range of initiatives to attract visitors to Macao. As border measures against the pandemic were loosened for Hong Kong residents, MGTO is joining hands with the trade to attract Hong Kong visitors for a longer stay and higher spending, to revive the tourism industry and economy in Macao.

MGTO took the initiative a few days ago to organize a virtual travel and exchange seminar for members of the travel trade from Hong Kong and Macao, to give the former an update on Macao’s tourism information and facilitate industry networking between both cities. The Office encouraged the trade to launch special offers concurrently and spark Hong Kong residents’ interest in visiting Macao.

Highlight tours attract high-spending visitors
MGTO has planned to partner with industry operators in launching special travel offers on bus and ferry tickets, dining, hotel, sightseeing and more, with the aim to attract Hong Kong visitors to Macao for an experience of the unique Sino-Portuguese culture, culinary delights and more. The Office will also arrange for Hong Kong’s travel trade to pay familiarization visits to Macao for an update on Macao’s latest travel information, and facilitation of business cooperation between the travel trade from both sides. Moreover, themed highlight tours will be launched, encompassing luxurious hotel stay, chartered transportation service across the border between Hong Kong and Macao, Michelin-starred restaurants, festivals and events as well as Distinctive Shops, to lead high-spending visitors into local communities and boost tourist spending.

Facilitate industry exchange between Hong Kong and Macao
Days ago, MGTO held a virtual travel and exchange seminar in a hybrid online-and-offline format for the travel trade of Hong Kong and Macao. Hong Kong travel agencies were presented an update of Macao’s travel information, besides an opportunity for exchange and business matching between industry participants of both cities. The seminar was held with the aim to attract Hong Kong visitors to Macao for tourism and economic revival.

Deputy Chairman of Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, Ricky Tse, stated that this exchange seminar familiarized Hong Kong industry delegates with the latest tourism trend and information about Macao’s tourist attractions. He believes Macao will become a very popular destination that attracts travelers from Hong Kong and around the world. Deputy Secretary General of Hong Kong Macau Cross Border Association Ltd, Timothy Chui, remarked that the exchange seminar introduced many new hotels and brand-new travel experiences Macao has to offer, including exciting fun and luxurious hotels. He believes young people and families will be interested in these new experiences.

Plan to organize roadshows and highlight “tourism +”
MGTO plans to organize mega roadshows and set up booths at international travel fairs in Hong Kong, to showcase the diversity of “tourism +” elements offered by Macao. In addition to special offers on tourism products, the Office will leverage various online and offline channels to promote the destination and attract Hong Kong residents for multiple visits.

Promote incentive and business travel
MGTO plans to organize exchange seminars and familiarization trips for members of the MICE and incentive tourism sectors, to promote the Travel Stimulation Program as well as industry exchange and cooperation, branding Macao as a MICE and incentive travel destination.