Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is promoting the city as a tourism destination at the 50th ITB Berlin, running since March 9 until 13 at the German capital, to reinforce links with international travel trade and attract more visitors from long-haul markets at the world’s largest travel show. During ITB, MGTO also collected the award for Best Destination – Leisure 2015, conferred to Macao by the International Council of Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), in another endorsement to the attributes of Macao as a tourism city.

Macao promoted as a city of events and festivals at world’s largest travel show

MGTO Deputy Director Cecilia Tse, joined by the Head of Destination Marketing Department, Betty Fok, is in the German capital to head the Macao promotion at ITB Berlin, considered the world’s largest travel show. Macao is showcased at the mega-travel show with a 63 square meters booth displaying Macao as a city of events and festivals, and cultural heritage. The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is one of the highlights of the booth this year, with the Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, Pansy Ho, and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre also joining the Macao booth to promote the event.

On the opening day of ITB, March 9, Cecilia Tse welcomed at the Macao booth key travel trade partners for a cocktail, to create another opportunity to reinforce links and give updates on Macao's tourism industry. Before the opening of ITB, Cecilia Tse attended a Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Chapters Meeting held on March 8 at the Hotel Berlin, followed by a networking reception that also included guests from other tourism partner associations.

Macao awarded Best Destination – Leisure 2015 by PATWA

During ITB Berlin, Macao received the award for Best Destination - Leisure 2015 conferred by the International Council of Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), in another prestigious accolade for the city’s tourism. Cecilia Tse collected the award during PATWA International Travel Awards Ceremony, held today (March 10).

The PATWA International Travel Awards are given to recognise individuals and organisations involved in the promotion of tourism from different sectors of the travel trade such as aviation, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, destinations, government bodies, tourism ministries and other service providers related directly or indirectly to the industry. PATWA International Travel Awards are announced and handed over annually at ITB Berlin.

ITB Berlin attracts more than 180 countries and territories

With over 10,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries and territories joining the event every year, and having attracted last year more than 175,000 trade visitors and consumers, along with 6,000 plus media, ITB is the foremost business platform for global touristic offers. Joining ITB every year, MGTO aims to reinforce the image of Macao as a travel destination at this large-scale international travel fair to tap into overseas markets and foster connections with international travel trade partners. Celebrating 50 years this year, the world’s largest travel trade show will host a series of special events to mark the occasion.

This press release is available at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/