MGTO participates in the “20th International Travel Expo Hong Kong” to promote Multi-faceted tourism Products

The 20th ITE HK (International Travel Expo Hong Kong) and ITE MICE opened this morning (15th) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Mr. Shao Qi Wei, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and Mr Stephen Ip, the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR officiated at the Opening Ceremony. Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), João Manuel Costa Antunes led a delegation of MGTO personnel and 28 Macau tourism industry representatives to attend the opening ceremony. Through this travel expo, MGTO aims to promote “Macau World Heritage Year”, introduce Macau’s events and festivals around the theme of “Macau A World Of Difference, The Difference Is Macau”, and present Macau as an emerging destination for Business Tourism. The 120-square meter MGTO pavilion this year is themed to emphasize “Macau World Heritage Year”, with counters for the travel trade designed to resemble the iconic buildings of the “Historic Centre of Macau”. 28 representatives from Macau’s tourism industry, including hoteliers, travel agencies, airlines and ferry companies will promote Macau’s tourism products, entertainment facilities and services to the participating trade from around the world. Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau continue to join force this year to promote regional tourism of the Pearl River Delta in ITE HK. The Expo this year has also added a new hall dedicated to business tourism, named ITE MICE (meeting, incentive, convention & exhibition) covering various types of business travels and incentive tours. This new feature has drawn tourism authorities from Bahrain, Czech, Dubai, Fiji, Hungary, Malaysia and Macau to join as exhibitors. MGTO has set up a 60-square meter pavilion in this hall to promote Macau’s budding business tourism and the upcoming large-scale MICE facilities to be completed shortly. 8 representatives from the hotel and convention and exhibition industry took part in ITE MICE. MGTO held a prize presentation ceremony for the “New Macau New Guide!” Travel Route Contest which was organized as a highlight of MGTO’s major promotional activities in Hong Kong for “Macau World Heritage Year”. By inviting proposals of a Macau thematic tour from HK travel agencies who are members of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC), the contest aims at re-packaging Macau with creativity. The award presentation was followed by an in-pavilion cocktail reception to facilitate business contacts and exchange with Hong Kong tourism officials and trade representatives. ITE HK is a prime tourism trade show in Asia and MGTO is one of the many supporters of this annual event, which attracts tourism boards and travel trade worldwide. The 4-day Expo this year attracted 600 exhibitors from 55 countries and regions, among which were 45 official pavilions by tourism authorities. Thousands of local and overseas travel trade are expected to take part in the event. The 20th ITE HK at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre covers an area of 13,000 square meters. The first two days are open only to the travel trade while the last two days are open to the public. The organizer also arranged a series of seminars and product presentations on the trade days while the public can enjoy a variety of cultural performances and lucky draws in the two public days.