Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2009 closed today in Hangzhou. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) led a delegation to the four-day trade show, holding a big promotion of Macau’s tourism at the event. With Macau being the host of next year’s PATA Travel Mart, the delegation took this opportunity to learn for 2010 and invite participants to come to Macau next year to attend the travel show. MGTO organized today at the Travel Mart a “Macau Day”, which included in the program the PATA Gold Awards Lunch (an MGTO sponsored event), a “PATA Travel Mart 2010 - Macau Welcome Dinner” and several cultural performances, introducing Macau’s characteristics to participating travel trade and media from all over the world, and inviting them to come to Macau September next year to participate at the PATA Travel Mart. PATA Chairman Phornsiri Manoharn, China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Chairman Shao Qiwei and MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes, among other guests, participated at the PATA Gold Awards Lunch. During the lunch, Chairman Shao Qiwei was conferred the PATA Award of Distinction 2009 to mark his outstanding contribution to the development of China tourism in his role as the head of the CNTA. PATA also presented plaques to the winners of this year’s Grand Awards, in four categories, and Gold Awards, in 22 categories, for the best in travel and tourism in the region. MGTO’s “Experience Macau” video received an Honorable Mention for Marketing Media – Promotional Travel Video. Lion dancers, Portuguese folk dancers, Venetian Gondoliers and Tuna Macanese Band flew from Macau to perform at the Travel Mart during the “Macau Day” activities, showcasing Macau’s unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. Close to twenty Macau travel agencies, hotels, and business tourism companies participated at the travel show. As the host of next year’s PATA Travel Mart, MGTO organized the “2010 PATA Travel Mart – Macau Welcome Dinner”. During the dinner, Costa Antunes said that “Macau participates at the PATA Travel Mart 2009, which closes today at this charming city of Hangzhou, with a strong delegation of tourism officials and travel trade, and we will go home packed with ideas on how to host an outstanding PATA Travel Mart after learning with the great work of the Hangzhou Tourism Commission hosts.” The dinner was cheered with Macau performances. PATA Travel Mart is Asia Pacific’s foremost travel contracting and networking show. This year’s edition attracted more than 1,000 delegates, including 600 sellers, and over 300 buyers, which occupied an exhibition area of more than 10,000 square meters. Following the Travel Mart, the PATA Board of Directors will meet. PATA Travel Mart 2010 will take place at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from 14 to 17 of September, with an expected attendance of around 1,000 participants. This press release is available at: www.macautourism.gov.mo
