【Promotion of market diversification】12th MITE supports the development of the “1 + 4” tourism industry

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Macao SAR, the 12th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (also referred to as the “Expo” or “MITE”) was held over three consecutive days. The Expo brought together tourism, health and well-being, modern financial services, innovative technology, conferences and exhibitions, trade and commerce, culture and sports, cultural institutions and museums, educational tourism, gastronomy, wine and products for sale, among others. Industry participants from around the world had the opportunity to promote exchanges, build cooperation and explore new tourism trends. Many also actively promoted and sold products to consumers, using MITE to expand markets and the scope of business opportunities.

25th anniversary pavilion, gastronomy pavilion and The Cellar to celebrate the anniversary

Through the technology of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, the 25th anniversary pavilion presented an overview of the development of Macau’s tourism industry in the past 25 years and the vision of the future. Through VR and a motorcycle set, visitors could enjoy a pedicab ride through the cityscape or write postcards to express their best wishes for Macau’s future. Moreover, the Gastronomy Pavilion and The Cellar have fueled the new, vibrant synergy of “tourism + gastronomy”.

MITE continuously promotes the development of “1 + 4” industries

For two years in a row, the “1+4 Pavilion” was established to continue to promote the development of four major industries, including health and wellness, modern financial services, innovative technology, conferences and exhibitions, trade and commerce, as well as culture. and sports. The exhibition surface was more than doubled compared to the previous edition. Products, projects and services in the “1 + 4” industries were showcased, such as healthy food products, health and wellness products, skin care products, modern technology products, banking services, culture and tourism.

More than 40 product and destination presentations, forums and other activities were held during the Expo to provide residents and visitors with an update on tourism information and products from Macau and around the world. The events covering the four major industries included the “High-Level Forum on Greater Bay Area Tourism Development 2024: Artificial Intelligence and Creativity in Culture and Tourism”, “A Museum Tour: Cultural Exchange Meeting in Macau and mainland China” and the “2nd Macao International Forum on Health Management and Wellness Tourism” and a banking promotion seminar, among others.

KOLs with 1 million followers highlight distinctive products from Portuguese-speaking countries via livestream

To support the launch of products from Portuguese-speaking countries in the mainland market, KOLs who enjoy great online popularity with more than one million followers were invited to livestream and showcase these products at the Pavilion of China-Portuguese-speaking Countries for Trade and Commerce. Service platform on opening day.

In addition, the “New Media Matrix” was adopted, allowing exhibitors to present their products and services through multiple channels. Nine online influencers conducted livestream sales and promotion for exhibitors on ten social platforms, including Facebook, Xiaohongshu, Douyin, WeChat, Weibo, Diantao, Miaopai, Mafengwo, WeChat Channels and Aomi. Several mainland and overseas KOLs were also invited to conduct promotions through live streams, graphic and written messages, and short videos.

Cultural institutions, museums and educational tours give a boost to tourism

Cultural museums and institutions such as the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China and patriotic education bases were invited to present educational itineraries and products in the theme pavilion of cultural museums and educational tourism. “A Museum Journey: Macau and Mainland China Cultural Exchange Meeting” was held to deepen the joint development of “tourism + education”. In addition, MGTO today (April 28) launched the travel planning competition “Travel and Learning”. Participants are encouraged to creatively design unique and innovative educational itineraries, explore the resources and opportunities of educational tourism in Macau, and raise public awareness of educational travel.

More than 30 contracts signed for cooperation

More than 80 cultural tourism entities and community organizations participated in contract signing ceremonies yesterday afternoon (April 27), promoting public-private partnerships in Macau and between different countries and regions. More than 30 contracts were signed for cooperation in the seven areas of tourism, health and welfare, air services, educational tourism and weddings, among others. Among them, 17 exhibitors and buyers from countries along the Belt and Road signed the MITE Initiative of the “Belt and Road” Tourism Development Alliance in Macau. Deputy Director General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macau SAR, Yang Hao, Director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, and President of the Macau Travel Agency Association , Alex Lao witnessed the signing ceremony.

Welcome cocktail bursting with life

A grand welcome cocktail was held on the opening day (April 26), bringing together hundreds of industry participants and guests from far and wide. The venue was buzzing with life.

MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said in her remarks that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau SAR. MITE was held on the largest scale since the first edition, giving companies more space for presentation and development, and this year welcoming more industry participants and buyers from around the world. During its 12th edition, MITE has emerged as one of Macau’s prestigious exhibitions, building its brand and reputation at home and abroad. Over the years, the Bureau has worked hard to build an effective exchange and trade platform, provide business opportunities for exhibitors and buyers, present the latest products and quality services to consumers, and strive to create a powerhouse for the synergy of tourism and other sectors. . Following the “1 + 4” development strategy of the Macao SAR Government for adequate diversification, the Agency is working to enrich the city’s dynamism as a world center of tourism and leisure.

Macau Travel Agency Association President Alex Lao stated that the Expo received tremendous support from tourism organizations and companies from more than 50 countries and regions, as well as provinces and municipalities on the mainland. The Expo took place on the largest scale since the first edition, both in terms of exhibition space and the number of exhibitors, booths, public bodies, Belt and Road countries, hosted buyers and livestream sales through new media for exhibitors. The achievements were the fruit of dedication. The Expo was held in parallel with Macau’s status as a world center for tourism and leisure, as approved by the central government. It is an honor for MITE to receive the country’s support and recognition as the only exhibition brand in the 14th Five-Year Tourism Development Plan, and the accreditation from the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) as a “UFI Approved International Event” .

Before the opening ceremony, MITE organized a banquet for the delegations of tourism agencies from the provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and special municipalities in the mainland. The best showcase awards were presented to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Zhejiang Province and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Guizhou Province, for participating and setting up distinctive booths at the Expo for four consecutive years or more.

Hundreds of domestic and foreign entrepreneurs in the sector inspect tourism resources in Macau and Hengqin

During the Expo, hundreds of representatives of the overseas travel agency associations and guest buyers from different parts of the world participated in various introductory tours in Macao and Hengqin. They visited Macau’s World Heritage Site and sampled local delicacies, gaining first-hand experience of Macau’s ‘tourism +’ elements. Introductory tours were also organized for them in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, where they could experience various tourism opportunities.

With the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao SAR and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao SAR, the 12th MITE was organized by Macao Government Tourism Office and coordinated by Macau Travel Agency Association, again with the support of various supporting entities, co-organizers, the six leading partners and sponsors.