This month, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is joining a series of promotional activities in (by date) the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan region, including celebrating the Lunar New Year in those countries and regions and showcasing the city as a tourism destination.

USA

PATA's New York chapter will host their annual Lunar New Year Celebration on 4^th February with a traditional, 12-course Chinese meal to welcome in the Year of the Monkey. The event, co-sponsored by CNTO and China Eastern Airlines, will see MGTO-USA attend in the company of fellow tourism board representatives, local media, and members of the New York area travel trade.

Japan

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Alexis Tam, will lead a delegation to Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan for the 5^th February inaugural launch of a large-scale promotion of Macao at the 67^th Sapporo Snow Festival for the first time. A feature destination at the popular winter festival this year, Macao is showcasing a spectacular 2,320-ton, 17-metre high, 26-metre wide snow sculpture of the Ruins of St. Paul's with evening video mapping projections that are sure to be a major attraction at the annual snowfest, presenting the city's heritage and events in a unique and compelling manner designed to attract more Japanese and international visitors.

Macao Government Tourism Office is also installing a Macao Café near its snow sculpture to welcome visitors with snacks from Macao and hot drinks, along with screenings of MGTO's new promotional video and photographs of the city by a Macao artist who is currently based in Hokkaido. In addition, a team from Macao will join the International Snow Sculpture Competition.

Hong Kong

MGTO will participate in the '2016 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade' organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in the evening of the first day of Chinese New Year (8^th February). The event will increase the exposure of Macao among Hong Kong people and foreign visitors, hence encouraging visitor arrivals during the period.

MGTO will also host a Spring luncheon in Hotel ICON on 18^th February to thank the Hong Kong travel trades and incentive partners for their support in the tourism development of Macao over the years, with more than 150 guests expected to participate in the event.

Taiwan region

The 2016 Taiwan Lantern Festival - regarded as the largest Lantern Festival activity in Taiwan - attracts over 5 million tourists each year to enjoy the lanterns and associated activities. In order to continuously improve Macao's tourism brand image and attract Taiwan tourists to visit Macao, MGTO will participate in the 2016 Taiwan Lantern Festival between 9^th February and 6^th March, with a giant lantern showcasing the various scenic spots in the city.

In addition, MGTO will participate in the 2016 Taipei Lantern Festival from 20^th to 29^th February, utilizing once more a lantern that showcases the different scenic spots in the city. The event is the first large-scale festivity activity to be organised in Taipei and attracts more than 8 million attendants annually. Since the spending power of Taipei citizens ranks top in Taiwan, Taipei citizens are major target groups for promoting Macao tourism.