Macau tourism authorities are confident that the annual target of welcoming 2 million international visitors will be achieved, with more promotional offers tailored for overseas tourists to be launched in the second half of this year.
The remarks were delivered by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes on Thursday at the media sidelines after the opening ceremony of the 2024 Sands Shopping Carnival.
Ms. Fernandes said that driven by the ‘enthusiastic response’ from international travellers to MGTO’s special travel offers, the authorities are planning for an expansion of promotional incentives in the second half of the year.
MGTO plans to spend MOP 235 million (US$29.2 million) this year on promotional incentives targeting overseas markets, including 250,000 special travel offers for international travellers.
These offers cover air tickets, cross-border transport, hotel accommodations, dining, entertainment, and show tickets.
The MGTO head also revealed plans for collaborations with renowned international news outlets in the second half of the year, such as CNN and BBC, to promote Macau as a tourist destination.
Meanwhile, the tourism authorities are also planning to collaborate with online travel agencies such as Agoda and Booking.com to launch more promotional campaigns.
Ms. Fernandes expressed satisfaction with the recovery pace of overseas tourists in the first half of the year, adding that she is confident in achieving the annual target of 2 million.
Macau authorities have set a target of at least 2 million international arrivals for 2024 and 3 million for 2025, a level in line with 2019.
According to statistics provided by MGTO, the city welcomed approximately 1.1 million international visitors in the first half of 2024.
