The Macau SAR Government has decided to extend the "Plan to Support Macau Tourism Industry" to the end of March, 2010 to stimulate leisure tourism, business tourism and the aviation industry so as to maintain the momentum and competitive edge Macau has been building as an international destination.
The Macau SAR Government spares no effort to promote the development of the tourism industry and support the travel trade in tackling the current challenges. To be in line with the celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macau SAR, Macau Government Tourist Office initiated the "Plan to Support Macau Tourism Industry" on May 18 and launched a revision committing more resources from August to the end of the year. All the program under the plan will be extended from December 31, 2009 to March 31, 2010.
Support to Leisure Tourism The key projects under "Support to Leisure Tourism" are Celebrate Macau Tours and World Heritage "Historic Centre of Macau" Free Guiding Service. Results from the launch of the plan on May 18 till December 28 show that more than 33,000 Celebrate Macau Tours have been organized (29,803 groups staying one night and 3,258 groups staying two nights or more) involving 807,604 visitors and a budget of over MOP$68 million, while 26,670 visitors had enjoyed the Free Guiding Service.
From August till December 28, over 30,000 guiding services were supported by the plan, involving a budget of close to MOP$6.8 million.
The budget for Support to Leisure Tourism from January to March 31 of 2010 is MOP$72.75 million. Support to Business Tourism The "Strategic MICE Market Stimulation Program" that MGTO introduced in May included three categories: Meetings and Conventions, Exhibitions and Incentives. From May 18 to December 23, the program has supported 31 meetings and conventions, 19 exhibitions and 26 incentive travel events, involving a budget of MOP$18.6 million. In addition, the program has also received 22 applications for events to be held between 2010 and 2012, involving a budget of MOP10.4 million. A total of 98 events have been supported by the program, with a total budget of MOP$32.6 million.
The budget for Support to Business Tourism from January to March 31 of 2010 is MOP$21.83 million.
Support to Aviation Industry In the tourism aspect, MGTO focuses on supporting the marketing activities of the airlines. The budget for Support to Aviation Industry from January to March 31 of 2010 is MOP$20.75 million.
Support to Revive Sichuan's Tourism Industry MGTO will continue its efforts in supporting the recovery of Sichuan’s tourism industry. The budget for the support plan to Sichuan tourism from January to March 31 of 2010 is around MOP$8 million.
Support to Industry Training MGTO supports training initiatives organized by travel trade associations for tourism employees to enhance the service quality of the industry. The amount of support will depend on proposals submitted to MGTO for evaluation by the travel trade associations. MGTO has received proposals submitted by two travel trade associations involving an amount of MOP$2.26 million.
The overall budget of the "Plan to Support the Macau Tourism Industry" from January to March 31, 2010 is MOP$126.4 million.
