The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) hopes incoming visitors will reach over 20 million this year, half the level of pre-pandemic times. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, the MGTO director, felt optimistic about it during an interview in Lisbon.
Overall visitor numbers to Macau are fine, and visitor numbers during non-holidays also remain stable, according to Senna Fernandes.
Daily international visitors increased from 1,600 in February to 2,000 in March and remain a small portion of all the visitors.
According to TDM Chinese, Senna Fernandes said that compared to 2019, there is still a long way to go and the recovery of international visitors will depend on the global flight market.
During the Chief Executive’s visit to Europe, the MGTO has held a large-scale promotion event in Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, one of the largest plazas in Portugal, including feature booths renovated from cargo containers and video mapping shows. Senna Fernandes said responses to the mapping show are good.
This is the first in-person tourism promotion in Europe after the pandemic. People come to visit after seeing the pictures and short videos. She also said more people in Europe became interested in Macau during the activities, which enhances image promotion. Staff Reporter
