The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) this week participated in the ASTINDO Travel Fair in Indonesia, accompanied by representatives of Macau’s integrated resort and leisure companies, travel agencies and more.
Indonesia is currently the second largest international source market for Macau and stands fifth of the 10 major source markets when including mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The ASTINDO Travel Fair was held from 31 August to 3 September at PIK Avenue Mega Mall in Jakarta. The MGTO and tourism firms set up booths alongside the Macau Pavilion, aiming to promote Macau’s World Heritage status, events, gourmet food and travel elements.
“The MGTO promoted Macau’s diversified and rich tourism elements to local residents with a view to attracting more Indonesian tourists to Macau, expanding the international visitor source and promoting the recovery of Macau’s tourism and economy,” the agency said.
“A number of airlines have increased the number of direct flights between Macau and Southeast Asian countries, and MGTO has been actively organizing study tours to Macau from different countries and regions.”
The MGTO said it had invited 19 Indonesian travel trade representatives to visit Macau in July to inspect different attractions and hotel facilities.
MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes also attended the World Conference on Tourism Co-operation and Development in Beijing recently. During the conference, she mentioned, “The MGTO will use various forms to attract tourists to visit Macau and extend their stay in Macau in order to open up the market for overseas tourists.”
Participation in the ASTINDO Travel Fair in Indonesia comes after the MGTO held a roadshow in Tianjin last week, again in conjunction with the six concessionaires. Representatives from Macau set up 57 booths in Tianjin to introduce the city’s tourism, business and cultural elements.