The Macau government and stakeholders have made significant efforts to attract international leisure travellers and business events, and this push is paying off with rising visitor arrivals. Fuelling this travel and tourism recovery is also Macau’s improved air connectivity to the region.
The Macao Government Tourism Office’s (MGTO) flagship initiative, the Experience Macao Limited Edition campaign, ran from August 26 to October 17, targeting international travellers. Launched in partnership with six integrated resort (IR) enterprises, the online interactive game offered attractive prizes and exclusive Macau experiences – all to engage a broader audience and draw international visitors to the destination.
On the other hand, the Macao-Hengqin Travel Stimulation Program, which kicked off in January 2024, targets business events. It encourages incentive travel groups to make Macau and Hengqin a reward for top achievers.
The Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is actively positioning Macau as a premium destination for both business events and tourism through campaigns deployed overseas.
Backing this effort is a MICE Bidding and Support Team that IPIM established with local events associations and Macau’s six major IRs.
An IPIM spokesperson shared that this cooperation mechanism aims to “jointly attract and bid for internationally and regionally influential MICE activities”.
“We believe that leveraging the expertise and social influence of these prominent individuals will help attract more high-quality professional and specialised conferences to Macau,” he added.
Stakeholders like The St. Regis Macao are continuously enhancing guest experiences, providing bespoke services and exclusive packages tailored to the needs of international travellers. These offerings include personalised butler services, curated local experiences, and unique dining options that highlight Macau’s rich cultural heritage.
Additionally, the sales team is actively participating in international tradeshows and sales calls to boost business while expanding sales channels in the South Korean and Taiwanese markets, supported by the recent increase in direct flights to Macau.
In 2024, SJM-owned Grand Lisboa Palace expanded its outreach to international travellers through promotions, yielding promising results. Key target markets include Tokyo, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur.
An SJM spokesperson said Grand Lisboa Palace offers attractive introductory rates to draw new market segments.
Trade-facing engagements include participation in activities organised by IPIM as well as reputable trade events like IT&CMA in Bangkok and IBTM in Barcelona.
Grand Lisboa Palace has also been active in branding exercises, such as by sponsoring the 5th FAI World Cup of Indoor Skydiving, SJM 10th Asian Wushu Championships 2024, and PATA Annual Summit 2024.
Recent infrastructure developments have been instrumental in giving Macau a stronger edge to compete for holidaymakers’ attention. There has been a revitalisation of older districts; Lai Chi Vun Shipyard, Rua da Felicidade, the A-Ma area, Inner Harbour Piers 23 and 25, Iec Long Firecracker Factory, and more are beneficiaries.
Entertainment options are boosted with the new MGM 2049 resident show at the MGM Theater, crafted by world-renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou. The House of Dancing Water will also return to The City of Dreams in 2025.
Chiara Calufetti-Lim is the principal and studio director of WATG, an architectural firm with offices in several major cities throughout the globe.
He spent the past eight years honing his skills in the Maldives, where he recently served as resort manager at One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives.
In her new role, she will oversee sales and marketing efforts across the three hotels, driving innovative campaigns, optimising sales strategies, and guiding teams to meet strategic objectives.
