MGTO expands promotion in Spain and Portugal through trade visits

The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has stepped up promotional efforts in Spain and Portugal, inviting tourism operators to Macau for familiarization visits while expanding multichannel marketing and developing new tourism products to raise the city’s profile in European markets.

MGTO and Spanish online travel agency Destinia jointly arranged a four-day familiarization visit to Macau from July 22 to 25.

The delegation visited the Historic Centre of Macao and newer cultural tourism facilities, sampled local cuisine and explored the city’s “tourism +” offerings. The Spanish delegates also met with local tourism industry representatives who participated in FITUR 2026 to strengthen business connections and explore potential partnerships.

The initiative aims to encourage Destinia to develop multi-destination travel products tailored to Spanish travelers, combining Macau with destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. MGTO said the products are intended to encourage longer stays and increase tourism spending in Macau.

The tourism office also plans to invite the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agents (CEAV) to lead a delegation of about 20 travel agents and journalists to Macau in October.

The visit will include tourism attractions, leisure and entertainment facilities, the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and meetings with local tourism operators.

MGTO also plans further promotions in Spain, including a promotional video, social media campaigns and visits by Spanish travel content creators. It will participate in FITUR 2027 to further promote Macau as a long-haul destination.

In Portugal, MGTO partnered with travel platform Abreu on an “Experience Macau” campaign from August 2025 to February 2026, promoting multi-destination products and Macau through television, radio and content creators. The campaign generated more than 30 million impressions, while its promotional video won a Silver Award at the US International Awards 2026 in the city promotion category.

MGTO said visitor arrivals from Spain, Portugal and Europe all recorded double-digit growth in the first half of 2026, as it continues efforts to expand Macau’s international tourism markets.