Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) today signed an agreement to cooperate in promoting tourism to Macau.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), MGTO and SIA will undertake joint promotion activities to boost visitor arrivals to Macau from Singapore and Indonesia. This cooperation can further be extended to other selected markets, subject to mutual agreement.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mr João Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of MGTO and Mr Huang Chen Eng, Senior Vice President Marketing Planning of SIA. Mr Chui Sai On, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macau Special Administrative Region and Mr Michael Tan, Executive Vice President from Singapore Airlines witnessed the ceremony.

Mr Huang said the agreement will strengthen SIA's commitment to Macau.

"Singapore Airlines was a pioneer in bringing international connections into Macau to serve a growing tourism destination. In 1995, Singapore Airlines was one of the first international airlines, outside of Greater China, to operate services to Macau. Being a major carrier into and out of Macau, Singapore Airlines, through this agreement, is poised to strengthen its commitment to Macau and make an even greater contribution to its GNP," said Mr. Huang.

Under the effective period of the memorandum, which is from 29 August 2000 to 28 August 2001, SIA will provide assistance including the carriage of officials departing Macau for tourism promotion in identified markets and the formation of a consortium of travel agents to put together holiday packages to Macau and beyond.

Macau Government Tourist Office will sponsor joint advertising and promotions in overseas markets and provide ground arrangements for agreed joint activities.

"To promote and develop tourism of Macau and make it a sustainable tourist destination through joint activities is the objective of the Memorandum of Understanding,"said Mr. Antunes. "Singapore Airlines has demonstrated support and confidence in Macau over the past years, ever since the opening of the Macau International Airport. We are looking forward to a prosperous and long-term relationship." The two sides will work closely and on promoting the image, awareness and familiarity of Macau and SIA.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is internationally recognised as one of the world's leading carriers and an industry leader and innovator, especially in the areas of service and in-flight entertainment. SIA operates one of the most modern fleets in the industry and its Group network, including services operated by SIA's regional airline subsidiary, SilkAir, extends to 91 destinations in 42 countries, serving Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, the South West Pacific and Africa. SIA flies to Macau twice weekly.

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is the official tourism body of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), with the responsibilities of implementing the tourism policies of the MSAR, encouraging improvements in service quality among industry operators, preserving existing tourism resources and developing new tourism products in a sustainable manner, organizing activities relevant to the tourism sector, and promoting tourism to the MSAR in overseas markets. It is also the official licensing and regulatory body of establishments related to tourism in the MSAR.