Fired up: tourism office at helm of efforts to boost Macau's reputation as the entertainment capital in region
Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo, International Fireworks Display contest and Travel Stimulation Program seek to attract visitors and enhance city’s status as a quality destination
The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is doing its utmost to develop the city into an entertainment hub.
It has played a key role in the organisation and promotion of events which aim to attract visitors and enhance the city’s status as a quality destination.
MGTO organises the 4th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo at the Cotai Expo, The Venetian Macao, from today until Sunday. The 350 booths feature food and beverage, accommodation, transport, entertainment, travel and shopping segments of the tourism industry, and covers 6,500 square metres.
Related services include travel media, e-business and technologies.
More than 135 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions – travel agencies, hotels, resorts, scenic spot operators and tourism-related businesses – have confirmed participation.
The event features seminars, a cultural performance and a studio showing tourism videos. The seminars will discuss the latest trends of independent travellers in the Asia-Pacific, smart tourism, internet applications and promoting tourist attractions.
The popular International Fireworks Display Contest, which is also organised by MGTO, returns this month out at sea in front of Macau Tower.
Teams representing 10 countries will participate in the competition on September 3, 10, 15 (Mid-Autumn Festival) and 24, and October 1, which is National Day.
There will be a special theme for each of the five evenings, and this year’s themes will include Pyro Fantasia, Tribute to Bond, Mid-Autumn Harmony, Stars from afar and Celebration in the Sky.
The contest features competitors from Thailand, Portugal, Britain, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Canada, Romania and mainland China.
In conjunction with the competition, MGTO will organise events and activities in partnership with various parties. These include the Trophy Design Contest, Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest and the Fireworks Carnival.
MGTO has launched a new edition of Travel Stimulation Program in support of Macau as an overseas wedding destination. Support will be offered to all non-Macanese wedding groups, depending on their size and length of time they stay in Macau.
Complimentary tourist information kits and souvenirs will be given to all groups with 25 members or more. Additional benefits such as cultural performance and a half-day tour will be given to groups with 40 members or more who stay at least two nights in Macau.
Groups with 40 to 100 members will get one cultural performance session such as Portuguese Folk Dance, Lion Dance, Dragon Dance and Drunken Dragon Dance; groups with 101 to 300 members will get a half-day historical tour (with maximum duration of 4 hours); and groups with over 300 members will get one cultural performance session plus a half day historical tour.
