As airlines successively resume international flights to Macao including routes from Thailand, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) welcomed the first post-pandemic international familiarization group comprising Thailand influencers and media to Macao a few days ago. A travel trade delegation from Thailand will follow in mid-March for inspection and business networking in Macao. By arranging for delegation visits from different sectors in Thailand, the Office works hard to ignite Thailanders’ interest in Macao as a preferred destination, to diversify visitor source markets for tourism and economic revival.

International delegation experienced Macao’s diverse “tourism +” 

The group of 20 media delegates included five travel and gourmet KOLs as well as program hosts of four mainstream television stations from Thailand, among others. They reached Macao on 6 March by AirAsia flight for a four-day journey to experience Macao’s wondrous kaleidoscope of “tourism +” elements through the five senses. 

The delegation visited not just Macao’s World Heritage Site and the tourism facilities of several major integrated resorts, but also the Macao Grand Prix Museum, MinM Plaza, Maritime Museum, Macau Tower and Macau Fisherman’s Wharf. They also sampled different culinary delights that make Macao appealing as a Creative City of Gastronomy. Furthermore, the delegation explored different districts in depth. They strolled from Tap Seac Square to St. Lazarus’ Parish, Mount Fortress, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Na Tcha Temple, the Cathedral, Lou Kau Mansion and Senado Square. They then proceeded to Taipa and Coloane to explore the Old Iec Long Firecracker Factory Site, Taipa Houses, Rua do Cunha, Chapel of St. Francis Xavier and the unique graffiti walls as check-in hotspots around Coloane Village. They also took part in preparation of Macao’s signature dessert Serradura, and experienced the thrilling ZIPCITY and GoAirborne, among other highlights. 

Thai KOLs and TV stations with over 30 million followers fuel destination marketing 

The KOLs and TV stations from Thailand have garnered over 30.98 million followers in total. The Office hopes that their online posts and TV travelogues about fun travel in Macao can induce trending topics about the city in Thailand with an extensive marketing impact. 

Thailand travel trade will pay inspection visit and design tourism products 

Over 20 travel trade delegates from Thailand will visit Macao from 13 – 16 March to inspect different tourist attractions, hotels and tourism facilities. They will also attend a destination presentation seminar about Macao to explore business opportunities with their counterparts from local hotels, travel agencies, integrated tourism resorts and tourism-related facilities. Together they will design tourism products for Thailand travelers and forge partnerships. 

Thailand ranked as 10th biggest source market before the pandemic 

In 2019, Macao registered over 150,000 visitor arrivals from Thailand, which ranked as the 10th greatest contributor of visitors to Macao. With the successive return of flights between Macao and Thailand, MGTO seizes the timing and steps up a variety of marketing efforts to welcome Thailand visitors, striving for diversification of visitor source markets.