Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) held its Annual Press Conference 2016 on 27^th January during which senior personnel presented a retrospect of last year's tourism performance, an introduction of 2016's working plan, and outstanding rankings and recognitions Macao had received from numerous tourism reports and surveys last year. Around 500 attendees were present at the conference, including members of the travel trade and media. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes announced the four major goals for this year to advance the Macao SAR Government's aspirations to transform the city into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.

The pillars of the plan include:

1.Deepening the planning of tourism development in order to create the right conditions to foster Macao's development into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure by fully formulating the 'Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan'; conducting appropriate and relevant public consultations in order to prepare a practical plan of action; evaluating the effectiveness of mega events and festivals; conducting studies and surveys on international visitation patterns, particularly from Southeast Asia.

2.Developing electronic administration and enhancing the quality of myriad tourism services: construction of an 'MGTO media platform'; adding new content and functions to Macao Tourism Data plus; continuing to conduct the Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme (QTSAS) and extending the Scheme to travel agencies; following up with proposed amendments to regulations governing hotels and catering establishments, while supporting legislative work involving regulations for travel agencies and tour guides, and initiating ongoing measures against the provision of illegal accommodation.

3.Promoting 'smart tourism' by exploring diversified tourism products as a major priority; solidifying and enhancing partnerships with the cultural and sports sectors while assisting the promotion of local mega events revolving around tourism, culture and sports in order to create the synergy essential to transforming Macao into a recognised 'City of Events'; promoting Macao by launching a brand-new promotional video themed 'Experience Macao in your Own Style'; fostering the diversification of source markets and tourism products; promotional reinforcement of the 'Step Out, Experience Macao's Communities' walking tour routes programme; continued organization and co-organization of mega events and festivals.

4.Strengthening regional co-operation, active participation in international organizations: enhancing Macao's participation in international tourism affairs; providing greater support for Portuguese-speaking countries; engaging in the work of China National Tourism Administration regarding 'Joint Working Committee on Tourism to Support Macao's Aspirations to Build a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure'; strengthening co-operation across the Pan-Pearl River Delta, between Hong Kong/Macao, Guangdong/Hong Kong/Macao, Guangdong/Macao and Fujian/Macao while rising to the opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative to promote multi-destination tourism products.

Ms. Fernandes emphasized that the Office will increase its efforts to promote smart tourism this year by maximizing use of the Internet and social platforms for tourism promotion, as well as upgrading MGTO's mobile apps and audio guides. In addition, MGTO will endeavour to expand the diversity of international visitor markets, consolidate existing source markets, and tap into the new potential of emerging markets.

In 2016, the Office will develop new tourism products, including the transformation of the Tourism Activities Centre into a dedicated Macau Grand Prix museum, and the revitalization of the palafitte on the Coloane Village waterfront. It will conduct a feasibility study on the launch of leisure cruise tour routes between the Macao Peninsula and Taipa/Coloane in light of new territorial water opportunities, and increase the promotion and attractiveness of the 'Step Out, Experience Macao's Communities' walking tour routes this year, in addition to launching more mobile games and joint promotion projects with fast-maturing local art and creative companies.

Last year, Macao's appeal received several boosts through a range of favourable recognitions by several tourism surveys and reports, among which Macao was voted one of the top 10 favourite travel destinations in 2015 by Cool Hunting, a lifestyle blog in the United States. The territory also received the 'Best Leisure Destination' Award presented by Top Travel Magazine in China, whilst Social Media Trend Research conducted by Japanese travel agency H.I.S. revealed that Macao was deemed most desirable travel destination in Asia in 2016. All of which reflect the fascinating glamour manifested by Macao in terms of tourism resources, products, culture and its myriad other dimensions.

The MGTO Director's PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded from the Media Corner of Macao Tourism Industry Net: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo