Korean Air launches a new air route between Macao and Seoul, Korea. The inaugural flight departed from Seoul and reached Macao last midnight (1 July). In tandem with the new air link, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) partners with Korean Air to present special offers on air tickets and unfold a diverse promotional campaign that includes arrangements for Korean media delegations to visit Macao, with the aim to attract Korean visitors, diversify visitor markets and enhance Macao’s status as a world centre of tourism and leisure.

Korea ranks as top one international visitor market

Direct flights set to boost international visitations

Visitor figures from January to May 2024 revealed that Korea ranks as Macao’s top one international visitor market and fourth largest visitor market. With Korean Air’s new flight service between Macao and Korea, the overall number of direct flights between Macao and Seoul has ascended to 35 per week, while three weekly flights are operated between Busan and Macao. The great air transport capacity is set to boost mutual visitations between Macao and Korea.  

Starting from September, Korean Air will launch another new air service from Macao to Lisbon via Seoul. Passengers can board the flight with one air ticket and have their luggage checked towards the final destination. The broadening air connectivity will inject competitiveness for Macao in the international travel market.

Welcome the first new flight to Macao

The first flight of Korean Air’s new route from Seoul, KE169, arrived at Macao in the midnight of 1 July. Arranged by MGTO, Macao Tourism Mascot MAK MAK welcomed and presented souvenirs to the passengers including Korean media delegates at Macau International Airport, extending the city’s warm hospitality.

Korean media widen Macao’s publicity through familiarization visit

In collaboration with Korean Air and the Office’s market representative in Korea, MGTO arranged for familiarization visits of Korean media delegations to Macao. About 17 representatives of leading and influential Korean media, including eight daily newspapers and five travel media, were invited to visit and experience Macao in two delegations from 1 – 4 July and from 8 – 11 July respectively. The first media delegation arrived in Macao last night by Korean Air’s inaugural flight from Seoul. They embarked upon the tour this morning to experience a colorful kaleidoscope of “tourism +” from different angles.

The itinerary for the delegations includes a visit to the World Heritage “The Historic Centre of Macao”, Macao Grand Prix Museum and major integrated resorts for an inspection of their tourism facilities. They also explore communities in depth and taste signature delights. A stroll across the city takes them to the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Na Tcha Temple, Travessa da Paixão, Rua dos Ervanários, St. Dominic’s Church, Senado Square and Coloane Village, among other attractions. The media will in turn share their trip experiences with Koreans via their official channels.

Multimedia promotions highlight destination appeal for Koreans

In tandem with the launch of direct flights between Seoul and Macao, MGTO and Korean Air jointly present special air ticket offers and conduct a diverse promotional campaign that includes promotions on Korean Air’s website, mobile application and social media platforms, other trending social media and websites as well as television shopping channels in Korea. Korean KOLs are invited to Macao for video filming, while Korean media delegations have the opportunity to experience Macao on arranged tours. Last year (2023) and this June, MGTO also organized two roadshows in Seoul respectively to welcome Korean visitors to Macao, propelling market diversification.

Korea is an international visitor market that holds great potential of new growth. Korean Air’s new flight service between Seoul and Macao is expected to elevate the city’s attraction for high-end Korean travelers and lead to a growing number of visitor arrivals from Korea, reinforcing Macao’s status as a world centre of tourism and leisure. Committed to the “1+4” development strategy for adequate diversification, MGTO will continue to roll out dynamic marketing initiatives to energize Koreans’ intent to visit Macao and tap into international visitor markets.