Macao seeks to deepen its connections with nations in the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Spanish and Portuguese-speaking nations the world over.
The matter was discussed today, 10th April, during the China-Spain-Portugal Tourism Products Presentation at the 14th Macao International Travel Industry Expo (MITE).
The presentations delivered during the corporate sessions showed how the special autonomous region is leveraging its role as a bridge between China and both Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking nations.
This continues to be made possible through Macao's partnerships with the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism (APAVT) and operator Ávoris.
At the same time, Macao has actively promoted itself as a prime destination through regional events in Europe like the International Tourism Trade Fair of Spain (FITUR).
Priority markets in Europe
In February of this year, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) announced that Portugal and Spain would be among its primary markets for 2026.
To mark this decision, the SAR made an appearance at the Lisbon Tourism Exchange (BTL) which ran from 25th February to 1st March, following a year's absence.
Around the same period, Macao announced its participation in a promotional campaign targeting travel agencies in Portugal, covering the cities of Braga, Coimbra, Lisbon, Porto, and Viseu.
Likewise, Macao's participation at the 50th Congress of the APAVT in December of last year resulted in its being named the organisation's Preferred Destination for 2026, the fourth time it has won the distinction.
Macao also entered a partnership with Ávoris, which rolled out a series of promotions prior to the most recent edition of FITUR.
Points of collaboration
Moving forward, Macao's tourism authorities seek to work with their Iberian counterparts via five touch points.
These are:
- Maintaining its status as an accredited preferred destination for both Portuguese and Spanish travellers;
- Engaging in joint promotional campaigns through its government and private sector partners, but extending marketing and advertising initiatives to include locations in the Chinese Mainland to bring more European tourists to tourism growth sectors;
- Participation in leading travel trade events, then encouraging local and mainland travel agents to consider Iberian destinations through events like MITE;
- Offering multi-destination tourism packages appealing to a broader selection of travel markets; and
- Active cultural exchange that highlights Macao's rich mix of Portuguese and Chinese customs and traditions which actively cross cultural borders.
Photos: Marga Manlapig
