The 43rd National Congress of the Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVT, from its Portuguese acronym) will be held in Macao from November 23 to 27 this year with the support of Macao Government Tourism Office.
Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and APAVT uphold a long history of close relations, with Macao having hosted four congresses of the association in the past, among which the last one was held in 2008. In conjunction with the work developed by Macao Tourism Promotion and Information Center in Portugal, this partnership has been crucial in ensuring success to make Macao an appealing destination among Portuguese tourism operators and visitors.
The congress organizers estimate that around five hundred tourism professionals from the Portuguese market, mainly tourism operators and travel agents, will attend the event, and take this opportunity to have an update on the new tourism offers in Macao.
MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes notes that “it is an honor to host once again this important congress, enabling Macao to enhance its role as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and a service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Senna Fernandes emphasizes the relevance of this strategic event, on contributing simultaneously to the diversification of Macao’s tourism industry, as well as to reinforce its promotional strategy and increase international visitor arrivals. She concludes that, “we are confident that in cooperation with APAVT we will organize an even more outstanding event compared to the previous editions held in town, and our city’s transformation will certainly surprise even those that have visited the destination before.”
APAVT President Pedro Costa Ferreira states that “the announcement of this decision is a great joy to all of us, implying two fundamental meanings – the fact that the economical landscape and the momentum of demand in Portugal is now more positive and confident, enabling us to once again opt for holding the congress outside Portugal; in this context, the choice of Macao, an historical destination, undergoing continuing development, gathers all the conditions to lure the interest of our tourism operators and travel agents, and through them our national clients.”
This press release is available at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/