A press conference is held for the 7th MITE
Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and coordinated by Macau Travel Agency Association, the 7th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (referred to as the “Expo” or “MITE”) will be held at Halls D-E, Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao from 26th to 28th April. The scale of the event is further expanded this year. The exhibition floor is doubled from a total area of 11,000 square meters last year to 22,000 square meters, accommodating 800 standard booths in total, which increased from the number of 550 booths last year. The three-day event will present seven key highlights, which include the “Pavilion in Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region”, fostering tourism partnerships under the Belt and Road Initiative, developing multi-destination itineraries in the Greater Bay Area, highlighting the role as an exchange platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, exploring gastronomy and sustainable development, strengthening interaction and integration of culture and tourism, as well as establishing a pre-scheduled appointment system to facilitate business matching, in order to bring about more productive results and radiate a greater impact as an international travel fair and sales exhibition platform.
Launch of first pre-scheduled appointment system to optimize business matching
MGTO and Macau Travel Agency Association co-held a press conference today (9th April) to unveil the event program this year. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong and President of Macau Travel Agency Association, Alex Lao, attended the press conference along with other personages. In her address, Director Senna Fernandes indicated that this year marks both celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Held in this year of dual celebrations, the 7th edition of MITE will strive for a new level of excellence, innovation and higher accomplishments based on the past editions. She added that the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area proposes supporting Macao to develop an array of internationally-impactful MICE brands. After six years of development, the event has burgeoned into a signature mega event for Macao’s travel trade. She continued that this edition of MITE has launched a pre-scheduled appointment system which enables autonomous invitations and precise matching for a full day of business appointments arranged in advance, leading to more effective and quality outcomes.
Seven key highlights radiate MITE’s multifaceted strengths
In 2018, the Expo harvested the Brand Exhibition Award of the Macao Convention and Exhibition Commendation Awards, and the Outstanding Consumer Exhibition Award – 2nd place of the 2018 Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) Asian Awards. Unfolding its seventh edition, MITE is dedicated to forging an effective exchange platform and producing greater business benefits. As a major annual event for the tourism community, MITE not only covers six key elements of the tourism industry — dining, lodging, transportation, entertainment, sightseeing and shopping, but also gathers professionals and operators from tourism and other related sectors worldwide, including travel agencies, hotels, attractions, transportation as well as other travel-related services. The Expo will keep moving towards becoming Macao’s annual international travel fair brand, endeavoring to garner sound reputation and professional recognition to deliver more far-reaching impact internationally and support the city’s development into a world centre of tourism and leisure.
This edition of MITE will once again radiate Macao’s unique positioning and functions with regard to its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. To highlight Macao’s advantages and what the city has to offer, the Expo will deliver seven key highlights as follows:
1) Pavilion in Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region: encompassing a total of seven chapters, the exhibition will, from various angles and perspectives, demonstrate Macao’s continuous endeavor to enrich the diversity of tourism resources and products under the successful implementation of the policy of “One Country, Two Systems”. The exhibition will also highlight the travel destination’s colorful image and the progress of the city’s transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure;
2) Foster tourism partnerships under the Belt and Road Initiative: Set up an approximately 1,000-square-meter “Belt and Road Pavilion” and bring together about 130 tourism entities/enterprises from some 35 countries along the Belt and Road for the opportunity to explore and deepen cooperation on diversified tourism products along the Belt and Road;
3) Develop multi-destination itineraries in the Greater Bay Area: Set up the “Greater Bay Pavilion” to provide the latest tourism information about multi-destination travel in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; set up new zones including Zhongshan Street, Guangzhou Street and Zhuhai Street for sales of respective cultural and tourism products. During MITE, MGTO will arrange industry delegations from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, the United States and Taiwan Region to pay multi-destination familiarization visits to Guangzhou, Zhaoqing, Jiangmen, Macao and Hong Kong; the Alliance for Developing Macao into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Tourism Education and Training Base will host two panel sessions at MITE, entitled “Greater Bay Area Attractions’ CEO Exchange” and “Building Successful Careers in the Greater Bay Area”;
4) Exchange platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries: Set up the “China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries Pavilion” to deepen cultural and tourism exchange between China and Portuguese-speaking countries by presenting products from Portuguese-speaking countries, Chinese tea art performance and so forth; organize a series of "Promotion Sessions of the Tourism Products of Portuguese-Speaking Countries" to introduce tourist spots, resources and products in Portugal, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor, so as to strengthen tourism cooperation and exchange among various destinations;
5) Explore gastronomy and sustainable development: An educational session will be held in partnership with National Geographic to explore how Macau is leading a shift towards a more sustainable and creative food industry across Asia;
6) Strengthen interaction and integration of culture and tourism: Set up the "Cultural and Creative Pavilion" which encompasses a variety of interactive cultural and creative experiences, to extend the added value of cultural tourism via organic integration of culture, handicrafts, gastronomy and creativity;
7) Establish a pre-scheduled appointment system to facilitate business matching: Inaugurate a pre-scheduled appointment system to enable precise matching and business appointments scheduled between exhibitors and buyers in advance, leading to more effective outcomes.
Deliver dual-platform effects
The Expo continues to facilitate partnership opportunities for industry delegates from across the world, and build a sales exhibition platform for local travel trade and residents. To date, about 430 enterprises and entities as well as 450 buyers from more than 50 countries and regions have confirmed their participation in MITE, and will ride on the platform to explore business opportunities and forge partnerships with their regional and international counterparts.
Last year, the Expo gathered 420 exhibitors from over 50 countries and regions, featuring 550 booths on a 11,000-square-meter exhibition floor. The 6th Expo admitted over 40,000 visitors and over 300 industry buyers from major visitor source markets, and facilitated the signing of 38 cooperative agreements.
Free admission
The 7th MITE will be open from 9:00 to 18:00 on 26th April (for industry professionals) and from 10:00 to 20:00 on 27th and 28th April (for the public). Free admission tickets will be distributed on-site at the entrance of Hall D, Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao. Free parking will be available to local residents at Hall C, Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao during the Expo, while free shuttle bus service around four routes will be provided between the venue and various points in Macao and Taipa.
The co-organizers of the Expo this year include Cultural Affairs Bureau, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Macao Chamber of Commerce, General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau, Macao Federation of Trade Unions, Women’s General Association of Macau, Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau, Association of Macao Tourist Agents and Travel Industry Council of Macau.
For more information about the 7th MITE, please visit the official website: www.mitexpo.mo.
