The 4th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo has kicked off

Organized for the first time by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the 4th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (“MITE”) held an array of seminars on 3 September and invited distinguished speakers to present key topics such as the new trends of Free Independent Travel (FIT) in the Asia-Pacific region and smart tourism. Professionals from the tourism Industry and other related sectors actively participated in the seminars for meaningful discussions. As a new highlight presented in the Expo on September 2, the “China – Portugal Tourism Seminar & Networking” successfully facilitated interchanges among tourism operators from China and Portugal, delivering Macao’s impact as a Sino-Portuguese platform.

 

As part of the Expo highlights, an array of seminars were held including “Analysis of New Trends of FIT Travel in Asia-Pacific Region” and “Smart Tourism Development and Internet Application Seminar”, “Tourism Destinations along the High-speed Railway Seminar” and “Promotion of Hot Tourist Spots in 2016”. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, members of the Tourism Development Committee, scholars and members of the travel trade and other related sectors attended the “Analysis of New Trends of FIT Travel in Asia-Pacific Region” and “Smart Tourism Development and Internet Application Seminar” together with other participants. Professional speakers were also invited to present the topics concerned and inspire an insightful dialogue. Famous travel show hostess from Mainland China, Wang Zheng, was invited to be the facilitator for both seminars. Comprising discussion and Q&A sessions as well, the two seminars attracted over 300 participants from the tourism and other related sectors for an active exchange of perspectives. On the other hand, the “Tourism Destinations along the High-speed Railway Seminar” provided an opportunity for Mainland cities, provinces and autonomous regions along high-speed rail routes to promote their tourism attractions and connect with each other. As for the “Promotion of Hot Tourist Spots in 2016”, participants from the tourism sector were given a chance to present popular tourist spots and tourism information to the public.  

With its focus on the Asia-Pacific travel market, “Analysis of New Trends of FIT Travel in Asia-Pacific Region” featured presentations by three keynote speakers on the latest trends of FIT travel in Asia-Pacific and the related topics. Director-General of the Subcommittee for Handling Proposals of Shandong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Founder of tourism brand “Friendly Shandong” and member of Committee of China Tourism Think Tank, Yu Chong, presented an analysis of the new trends of FIT travel across the Asia-Pacific Region. Assistant Professor of the Institute for Tourism Studies in Macao, Dr. Ali Bavik, presented the rise of Chinese independent travelers. Member of Guangdong Provincial Committee of CPPCC and Chairman of Macau Economic Development Promotion Association, Ieong Tou Hong, gave an analysis on the prospect of tourism cooperation between Macao and the Bay Area of the Pearl River Estuary.

 

Held as a forum, “Smart Tourism Development and Internet Application Seminar” featured discussions among keynote speakers including Director of General Office of Oriental Culture Research Institution, Development Research Center of the State Council, Dr. Zhang Xiaohuan; Managing Director of CNC Asia-Pacific Channel, Du Yushun; Vice President of tourism website “Lvmama.com”, Fang Tengfei; Director of Business Intelligence and Big Data, Oracle (China) Co., Ltd., Chen Chengyuan, and Dean of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Macau University of Science and Technology, Dr. Xie Feifan. The speakers and delegates joined together for a meaningful discussion on relevant topics including development of smart tourism destinations in the region of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, industry-wide development of smart tourism in Macao’s tourism industry as well as application of the Internet of Things and Big Data.

 

The “China – Portugal Tourism Seminar & Networking” was held as another new program highlight on September 2 and was attended by over 90 delegates of the travel trade from various Mainland cities and provinces as well as Portugal, for a valuable opportunity to extend their business network and forge partnerships in tourism with each other. In her welcome remarks at the event, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes expressed that the Expo introduced the “China – Portugal Tourism Seminar & Networking” this year in the hope that it not only facilitates interchanges among tourism operators from China and Portugal but also widens the channels of tourism cooperation with other Portuguese-speaking countries; as a result, Macao can make an impact as a Sino-Portuguese platform and demonstrate its potential to develop into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. In his speech, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Affairs on Tourism of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of China National Tourism Administration, Wu Kefeng remarked that Macao has accumulated good experience in advancing region-wide tourism development, which is great for both destinations to learn from each other. In addition, as the Mainland is currently putting its Belt and Road Initiative into effect, he hopes that Macao can function as a major hub and keep abreast with the era of mass tourism in the Mainland; giving play to its competitive edges, Macao can forge ahead to build a platform for tourism exchange and cooperation between the Mainland and Macao as well as between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and join hands with the Mainland to expand their Portuguese-speaking tourism markets and develop multi-destination tourism products. President of Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies, Pedro Costa Ferreira, stated that Macao is historically an important destination for the Portuguese tourism market and has recently brought new and extraordinary opportunities that open up through the relationship with China, both as a source market and as a tourist destination. He added that the networking event witnessed the presence of two significant delegations from Portugal and China, which will be the engine that stimulates business development of both destinations.

 

MITE is a significant annual gathering for tourism professionals, dedicated to offering a platform for participants from tourism and other related sectors at home and abroad to connect with each other and jointly boost their visitation. This edition of MITE is organized by MGTO for the first time, coordinated by Macau Travel Agency Association and supported by China National Tourism Administration. The co-organizers include the Macao Chamber of Commerce, Macao Federation of Trade Unions, the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau, the Women’s General Association of Macau, Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau, Travel Industry Council of Macau and Association of Macao Tourist Agents. Teledifusão de Macau, S.A. (TDM) and Macau Asia Satellite Television Company, Limited (MASTV) are the media partners for the 4th MITE.