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After last year’s successful promotional event in Malaysia, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is once again focusing on Southeast Asia as a rapidly expanding market. This year, MGTO is organizing a major promotional event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event includes a four-day “Experience Macao” roadshow, starting tomorrow (July 5), and today’s (July 4) “Macao Tourism + MICE Product Updates Seminar & Travel Mart.” The goal is to further expand Macao’s international visitor markets through various channels.
The “Macao Tourism + MICE Product Updates Seminar & Travel Mart” took place today (July 4) at Sunway Resort Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Attendees included MGTO’s Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong, Vice President of Outbound of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Chong Yu Ken, Deputy President of Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Cynthia Tan, Senior Manager of Promotional Activities and Development of Conventions and Exhibitions Department of the Macao Special Administrative Region Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) Steve Chan, and Chief of the Division of Culture, Tourism, MICE, Trade, and Commerce of Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin Vic Lam. Representatives from Macao’s six integrated resort enterprises and over 110 participants from the travel trade sectors of Macao and Malaysia were present.
Malaysia is Macao’s fourth-largest international visitor market
In his speech, Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong highlighted that provisional figures show Macao welcomed 85,140 Malaysian visitors in the first half of 2024, nearly double the number from the same period in 2023. Currently, Malaysia ranks as the fourth-largest international visitor market and the seventh-largest overall visitor market for Macao.
Earlier this year, MGTO invited Malaysian travel trade professionals to participate in the 12th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo. Additionally, the Office collaborates with the Malaysian tourism sector and retail brands, participating in Malaysian international travel fairs like MITM Travel Fair and MATTA Fair, to enhance Macao’s presence both online and offline, aiming to attract more Malaysian visitors.
Promoting “Tourism + MICE” in Macao and Hengqin
The event featured keen discussions on business opportunities between Macao and Malaysia’s travel trade. MGTO representatives provided an overview of Macao’s latest tourism developments and diverse “tourism +” elements. The Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin presented the latest updates on cultural tourism in Hengqin, followed by IPIM’s insights on Macao’s MICE and business environment. A networking session facilitated connections and the development of new Macao itineraries and tourism products tailored for Malaysians, unlocking new business opportunities.
Significant growth in international group travelers
Statistics from the Statistics and Census Service reveal that Macao saw 928,000 inbound package tour visitors in the first five months of 2024, a 2.3-fold increase year-on-year. The number of international group travelers surged 14-fold to 88,000, indicating the rising popularity of group tours among visitors.
Experience Macao roadshow in Malaysia starts tomorrow (July 5)
MGTO is once again hosting a roadshow in Kuala Lumpur, located at a popular shopping hub. The roadshow will be held at Blue Concourse, LG2 of Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall from July 5 to 8. In collaboration with the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao travel trade, and six integrated resort enterprises, the Experience Macao roadshow in Malaysia will showcase Macao’s latest travel information, diverse “tourism +” elements, and unique strengths as a world center of tourism and leisure. Special tourism products and packages will be available for local residents to plan a memorable trip to Macao.
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