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 9th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (referred to as the “Expo” or “MITE”) was grandly unveiled today (9 July) to run until 11 July. The Expo once again brings together virtual and physical exhibitions radiant with five major highlights and “tourism +” elements, to support members of the tourism and related industries to deepen exchange and cooperation and navigate business opportunities together.

The opening ceremony was officiated by major guests including Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Ho HauWah; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Yao Jian; Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Liu Xianfa; President of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Kou Hoi In; Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Lei Wai Nong; Secretary of the Bureau Party Committee and Inspector at Level 1 of the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Man Hongwei; Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, Wang Yiyang, and MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, among others.

In his address, Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, expressed that amid the prospect of unwavering commitment to pandemic control and prevention, the Expo once again runs under a hybrid online and offline format this year, building a bridge across Macao, the Mainland and different parts of the world for tourism and related industry delegates to forge partnerships and navigate business opportunities. He hopes that industry participants can ride on the Expo to together explore a wider potential for cooperation and develop innovative travel products in preparation for the resumption of international travel markets one day.

Secretary of the Bureau Party Committee and Inspector at Level 1 of the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Man Hongwei, remarked that against the backdrop of regular control and prevention against the pandemic, governmental departments of culture and tourism from the Mainland and Macao have been strengthening exchange and cooperation, actively planning and taking action to organize an array of online and offline promotional activities with the aim to push both tourism markets towards gradual recovery and reinforce consumers’ confidence. He believes that through the Expo, the travel trade from both sides will enhance understanding and tap into new opportunities, to share strengths and achieve mutual progress and success through cooperation.

The 9th MITE is held at Halls A – B, Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao from 9 – 11 July. The exhibition covers a total area of 23,000 square meters and features 708 booths, offering free admission for the public. 394 exhibitors are joining the Expo this year including 106 local exhibitors, 265 exhibitors from the Mainland as well as 23 international exhibitors. There are 341 buyers including 197 hosted buyers from the Mainland and 144 online buyers from across the world.

Five major highlights incorporate “tourism +” elements

The Expo once again runs under a hybrid online and offline format, incorporating “tourism +” elements with five major highlights as follows: strengthen “Cloud Series” for integration of online and offline exhibitions; expand the scale of “Macao Street” and boost local tourism economy; promote inheritance, innovation and exchange of gastronomy via “City of Gastronomy” culinary demonstration; promote cultural tourism development through integration of “tourism + culture and creativity”; promote “Distinctive Shops” and enhance brand images.

Online and offline synergy to expand business opportunities

As part of the Cloud Series, the Expo has extended the “Cloud B2B” period from 2 days to a stretch of 14 days, offering ample time for exhibitors and buyers to tap into cooperation opportunities from 28 June to 11 July. “Cloud B2B” rooms are set up on site for business matching across online and offline. Exhibitors and buyers who reach a consensus or confirm their intention for cooperation can sign agreements via the “Cloud Contract-signing” on 10 July. Furthermore, the Expo features “Cloud Live Promotion” room and “Cloud Live Broadcast” rooms. Virtual exhibitors from near and far can connect with the Expo via the “Cloud Live Promotion” on site to showcase their destinations’ tourism resources and interact with audience. Influential streamers from the Mainland and Macao also conduct live sale of various products and promote brands on “Cloud Live Broadcast”.

Launch of MGTO’s Official Flagship Store on Ctrip App

Following the opening ceremony, a launch ceremony for MGTO’s Official Flagship Store on Ctrip App and a workshop about e-commerce platform skills offered by Trip. com were held. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and General Manager of Destination Marketing of Trip. com Group, Edison Chen, officiated the video kick-off of the Official Flagship Store.

Kick-off ceremony for “Incubation Plan for Macao’s KOL in Tourism” to be held on Sunday

A kick-off ceremony and talent sharing session for the “Incubation Plan for Macao’s KOL in Tourism” will be held at the Expo on 11 July. The Incubation Plan is organized by MGTO and co-organized by Macau Live Streaming Association.

The Expo once again adopts a series of preventive measures against the pandemic, including implementation of crowd management by setting up the only entrance and exit at Halls A and B respectively, as well as the requirement for visitors to present Macao Health Code and have their temperature checked, as well as to wear mask and maintain one-meter social distance upon admission. Venue disinfection, staggered admission hours and other measures related to public catering are carried out as well.

The public can log into the online appointment system on MITE’s official website ( www.mitexpo.mo ) to schedule a visit to the Expo, while the public without appointment can line up at the venue for admission according to the on-site status. For more information about the 9th MITE, please visit MITE’s official website: www.mitexpo.mo, WeChat ID and Facebook page.