MGTO showcases Macau in Lisbon and Berlin to attract long-haul visitors

The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has participated in two tourism-related fairs in Europe, aiming to promote Macau as a long-haul travel destination.

MGTO was present at the Lisbon Travel Market in February and at ITB Berlin early this month.

As noted by the office, the purpose of participating in major travel industry fairs is to attract European travelers to Macau on multi-destination journeys and to elevate the city’s international reputation and influence in Europe and other long-haul international markets.

At ITB Berlin, MGTO showcased Macau as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy during the first of the “Nihao! China” 2026 overseas promotion activities, in which Macau was one of the featured destinations.

The participation in the two events in Portugal and Germany follows another event held in January, when MGTO also took part in Spain’s FITUR, which kicked off the Office’s promotional campaign toward European long-haul international markets this year.

MGTO director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes participated in this travel fair alongside delegates from local tourism and related enterprises. The Office also created a networking opportunity for industry delegates from Macau and Europe to build closer connections during the fair.

As part of the activities, MGTO ran an “Experience Macao”-themed pavilion showcasing the city’s tourism offerings under the theme of the interlink between East and West.

In collaboration with a local art group, the Office presented the Red Market’s features through an installation and a video to highlight “local community gems” for travelers.

The pavilion also featured lion dance performances, Portuguese-style tile-painting workshops, and signature Macanese delicacies, among others.

According to MGTO, the pavilion drew many trade visitors and offered them insights into Macau’s cultural and community tourism assets, aiming to support the development of future tours and multi-destination tourism products.

During its presence at ITB Berlin, MGTO also organized a destination presentation session in partnership with the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations (ECTAA) and the German Travel Association (DRV) on March 4.

At this presentation, MGTO gave an overview of the latest tourism development and Travel Stimulation Program, among other aspects. Representatives of Air China, Air Macau, Oriental International Travel Ltd., Tourcon Technology Services Co., Ltd., and China International Travel Service (Macau) Ltd. also shared their products and services.

Before participating in the travel fair in Germany, MGTO and delegates from local tourism-related enterprises marked their presence at the Lisbon Travel Market (BTL) in Portugal from February 25 to March 1.

A pavilion was set up alongside a series of promotions to offer European tourism operators updates on tourism resources.

At this event, the Office also held a destination presentation introducing Macau’s latest tourism products in collaboration with representatives of local tourism companies.

Following last year’s hosting of the Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies meeting and the launch of an online training program, MGTO is conducting a questionnaire survey to collect and analyze European visitors’ travel preferences and intentions to visit Macau and other destinations in one trip, to inform more strategic marketing plans.