This month, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is joining a series of promotional activities in (by date) Japan, Malaysia and the Taiwan region, including a Snow Sculpture Contest, Spring banquet, gourmet and local delicacies events, and showcasing the city as a tourism destination.

Japan

Having won second place in 2016, the Macao team is once again participating in the International Snow Sculpture Contest at the Sapporo Snow Festival, held this year from 5^th to 9^th February. A traditional and popular annual event, the Sapporo Snow Festival attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. MGTO joined the event for the first time in 2016 to promote Macao, recreating the Ruins of St. Paul's in a stunning snow sculpture.

With broadcasting, online and print media playing an indispensable role in the visibility of Macao in Japan, the MGTO Japan representative is organizing a Media Dinner Gathering on 8^th February for the key Japanese media in and around Tokyo. In addition, a Macao Travel Trade Women's Club meeting will also be organized, to reach out to women aged 30 to 45, with MGTO Japan representative organizing professional business meetings on 9^th February with key female agents from the aforementioned age group in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Sapporo and Fukuoka to create a Macao trade supporter team.

On 10^th February, the MGTO Japan representative plans to conduct a travel marketing seminar in Nagoya in order to maintain ties with the travel industry and inform travel professionals of the Office's marketing plans for 2017. In addition, MGTO will accompany members of the West (Kansai) Chapter of the Japan Association from 17^th to 19^th February with JATA travel agents on destination inspections to gain a better understanding of Macao whereby its member travel companies can exchange views, providing further opportunities to grow arrivals from Japan.

Malaysia

The MGTO Malaysia representative is co-operating with well-known cookbook author cum Food Blogger Squall Chin and Radio DJ Anson featuring the destination's fantastic gourmet dishes and local delicacies from 9^th to 12^th February. During the trip, Squall and Anson will learn how to cook authentic Macanese cuisine from local Macao chefs and the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), taking out time to take in local delicacies. Their explorations will be filmed, blogged and broadcast on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and online.

In addition, the MGTO Malaysia representative will organize a 3D2N familiarization trip from 25^th to 27^th February for the 15-strong Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Management Committee to provide participants with current information about Macao's new attractions and latest developments. The familiarization trip is a preparation for MATTA Travel Fair from 17^th to 19^th March 2017, in order to promote Macao to more trade partners and increase visitation to Macao.

Taiwan Region

The MGTO Taiwan representative is organizing two Spring banquets plus travel marts for the media and travel trade in Taipei and Taichung on 16^th and 17^th February, respectively. The event seeks to liaise with local media and the travel trade to provide them with information on the latest tourism developments in Macao. MGTO will also utilise this opportunity to thank the local media and travel trade partners for their unstinting support whilst encouraging them to continue to promote Macao tourism.