Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) marked their joint presence at the 20^th Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) from 14^th to 17^th March with the first Macao Pavilion set up in the event. The two government departments also invited 12 entities from the local film and television industry to introduce their businesses at the Pavilion, with the opportunity to meet up with industry professionals from around the world to exchange news and explore partnership opportunities. The day following the FILMART opening ceremony MGTO invited local media to Hong Kong and attended the media conference exchanges.

MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao Festival Director Marco Müller and Festival Ambassador Johnnie To delivered their remarks during the reception. During the media reception, the MGTO Director remarked that Macao is making a great effort not only to transform the city into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure but also to foster economic progress towards moderate diversification, with one of its endeavours the promotion and development of the cultural and creative industry, saying film and television production are among the local sectors with an immense potential to thrive in the future.

She added that the International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao will be held from 8^th to 13^th December 2016, jointly organized by MGTO and Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association. An organizing committee will be established to conduct the preparation work, with more details to be announced soon. The media reception in Hong Kong was attended by around 120 members of the press and the film and television industry from Hong Kong and Macao.

MGTO has always been a supporter of the local cultural and creative industry while IC actively promotes local heritage in all its forms. The two departments have partnered each other on different projects to foster local tourism development through a combination of cultural and tourism elements for a stronger synergistic effect, in line with the MSAR Government's endeavour to promote industry diversification.

In recent years, film and television crews from Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, the United States and other regions have visited Macao for film or TV drama shooting. Audiences from around the world can appreciate the city's glamour through their cameras, which has given Macao evermore publicity. Their far-reaching promotion has attracted more visitors to Macao for a first-hand experience of the movie 'sets'. They have also built up Macao's positive image and international profile.

Last year, various scenes in Hollywood and Greater China movies were filmed in Macao. Some of the movies even based their storyline on the city, demonstrating the growing attention Macao is receiving on the international stage. IC also encourages local industry development by granting subsidies for local film shooting, cultivating local talent for the growing market as well as supporting local film and television production entities to develop their business.

The film and television industry has created a strong momentum for local tourism development and effectively consolidated the destination's colourful image. Good examples include widely-acclaimed Hong Kong movies and the booming film and television industry in Korea, which have both created a positive impact on travel and tourism in Hong Kong and Korea by driving local tourism growth and raising the destination profile. MGTO and IC will continue their partnership to support cultural industry development and promote the city via film and television production, capitalizing on the cultural industry to enhance tourism development for Macao's long-term benefit.