The 2011 edition of Lisbon Travel Market (BTL, from the Portuguese abbreviation) opened today (23 Mar). Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) once again set up a booth to elevate Macau's presence in the European market. This year, a 54 square-meter booth featuring the UNESCO World Heritage, tourism characteristics, convention and exhibition facilities and gourmet promotes Macau and it's east meets west culture. MGTO also brought to BTL a calligrapher and a fortune-teller, both already very well-known and most welcomed by visitors, to showcase Chinese culture. Head of Publicity and Production Division of MGTO, Alice Coelho, Coordinator of the Macau Tourism Promotion and Information Center in Portugal, Rodolfo Faustino and other staff participated in the promotion. Last year, Macau received nearly 250,000 visitors from Europe, registering a growth of 3.7 per cent over 2009. BTL 2011 takes place from February 23 to 27 in Lisbon, with exhibitors from 43 countries and regions. The first two days (23-24) are for tourism professionals only and the other three (25-27) open to the public. BTL is organized in Portugal since 1989 and Macau has participated in the event since the first edition. The fair welcomed last year around 980 exhibitors from 45 countries and regions and was visited by 70,000 people. This press release is available at: www.macautourism.gov.mo
