All eyes will be on Macao from 10th to 12th April when it rolls out the red carpet for the 14th run of the Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE).
To be staged again at The Venetian Macao, this year’s MITE revolves around the theme Global Convergence, Future Horizons.
As such, global travel professionals along with peers from the hospitality, commercial aviation, as well as travel tech and the F&B fields will gather to deepen in-industry integration as the Expo fosters adequate economic diversification in Macao.
An official event of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) together with the Macau Travel Agency Association, the 14th MITE is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR.
Tourism+ takes centre stage
At a press conference held on Friday, 27th March, MGTO director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes pointed out how MITE continues to cast the spotlight on Macao’s strengths as a platform and bridge.
Indeed, the special autonomous region’s headline industry event is seen as a high-quality and effective platform for product showcase and cooperation among members of the global tourism and related industries.
At the same time, MITE continues to champion regional and international exchange and cooperation in tourism, elevating Macao’s contributions as a gateway into global markets.
With that in mind, the Expo aims to create a powerhouse of Tourism+ industries, propel adequate diversification of Macao’s economy and enrich the city’s dynamic as a world centre of tourism and leisure.
On a grand scale
The 14th MITE will occupy an area of 30,000 square metres, enough to accommodate close to 1,500 booths.
As of press time, more than 700 exhibitors from 58 countries and regions, as well as over 600 local and foreign hosted buyers have registered for participation, reflecting the Expo’s status and influence as a major international platform for businesses across the world.
MITE will likewise stage more than 130 themed sessions ranging from destination presentations and industry forums, to workshops and performances, all showing off the latest in the tourism industry, along with innovative products from Macao and worldwide, including Expo-limited special offers from different exhibitors.
Five new aspects to highlight
MITE has long been a bastion of innovation in travel, and this year’s edition will bring in five new highlight areas.
These are:
- APECEmpowerment and Multi-Destination Tourism With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministerial Meeting convening in Macao later, the 14th MITE will ignite empowerment themed around APEC. Participating travel agencies will launch APEC-themed multi-destination itineraries while the activity MITE X APEC Stamp Passport will engage Expo visitors in stamp collection and check-in on social media. The Asia‑Pacific Gastronomy Showcase, on the other hand, is serving a menu featuring special delicacies and beverages from across the Asian-Pacific Region;
- Global Outreach and Diversified Expansion Highlighting Macao’s capabilities as a Commerce and Trade Co-operation Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries and the city’s role as a precise connector, the pavilions of Portugal and Spain will come into the spotlight again at MITE, as the China–Spain–Portugal Tourism Product Promotion Seminar – Corporate Session will be held In collaboration with MGTO and the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM). Capitalising on Macao’s ranking by the Global Muslim Travel Index”, MITE will upgrade the Silk Road Halal Products Pavilion which will gather a wide array of exhibitors from countries and regions along the Belt and Road. Hosted buyers are invited to pay a familiarization visit to Muslim-friendly facilities in Macao. The Muslim Tourism Opportunities Networking Salon will gather participants to explore the Halal market potential, share success stories and unveil new opportunities in the tourism market;
- Technology and Low-Altitude Economy: Dual Engines Driving Development The Tourism Technology Exhibition Hall will showcase state-of-the-art tourism products and services fueled by advanced technology, whereas the Low-Altitude Economy Pavilion will present innovative applications in urban air mobility and low-altitude tourism. In terms of smart experience, MITE’s official website will feature live chat service while a new media matrix will feature robot technology, inviting overseas influencers to livestream with robots for promotion;
- One Expo in Two Destinations: Integration of Healthcare and Tourism For the first time, the Islands Healthcare Complex – Macao Medical Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital will participate in MITE with a custom-designed pavilion showcasing high-end healthcare equipment. Various health and wellness enterprises from Macao and Hengqin will join as exhibitors to foster Macao’s adequate economic diversification. Meanwhile, the Macao University of Tourism and the China Tourism Academy will co-host the 2026 High-level Forum on Greater Bay Area (GBA) Tourism Development to open up new possibilities in the silver economy. The Macao‑Hengqin Healthy Traveler Forum will convene in collaboration with the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin under the format of One expo, Two destinations. Buyers are invited to visit health and wellness entities in Macao and Hengqin, to promote cooperation and resource sharing between the industries of tourism + health and wellness, in turn propelling tourism and economic diversification in Macao and Hengqin; and
- Magnetic Creative Hub: Captivating Gen Z To appeal to younger travellers, the Magnetic Creative Hub makes its debut at MITE 2026, showcasing various local creative IPs and offer a series of distinctive workshops designed for Gen Z to resonate with young travelers culturally. In addition, Macao Tourism Mascot MAK MAK will have a major makeover for the grand launch of the MAK MAK IP licensing program. A MAK MAK & Friends photo installation will present MAK MAK in different outfits and its licensed commodities for sale at the Magnetic Creative Hub. To elevate its IP branding, there will be a collection of collaborative products reflecting MAK MAK’s growth journey over the year.
