The work plan of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) in 2021 focuses on building the number of visitor arrivals and steering the tourism industry towards recovery. The Office plans to strengthen its “tourism +” cross-sector integration and to stimulate market vitality by encouraging visitor arrivals, efforts that will help steer the tourism industry towards recovery and generate momentum for other industries.
At its annual press conference held on 10 February, MGTO officials introduced the Office’s work plan in 2021 with five major goals.
1. Deepen “tourism +” cross-sector integration
This goal promotes reshaping the connection between tourism; gaming; meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE); and emerging industries. To enhance the competitiveness of Macao’s tourism industry through multiplying effects, the Office will emphasise quality tourism development, support industry operators to develop new tourism products, promote extensive growth of the tourism industry chain, and deepen cross-sector integration through “tourism +”, including “tourism + MICE”, “tourism + culture and creativity”, “tourism + e-commerce”, and “tourism + sports”.
2. Tourism planning and policy development
MGTO will continue reviewing the “Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan” and collect stakeholder opinions from Macao SAR Government departments, industry operators, community organisations and the public. The aim is to foster sustainable tourism development and contribute to the adequate diversification of the city’s economy.
The Office will review the city’s positioning, evaluate the latest strengths and constraints in the tourism industry, as well as development opportunities and challenges, in addition to proposing medium- and long-term action plans.
This work will focus on five key issues in tourism: its economic contribution, regional cooperation, carrying capacity, diversification of visitor source markets and technology-led smart tourism development.
The Office will also prepare the “Creative City of Gastronomy” 4-year (2018-2021) monitoring report.
3. Stimulate vitality by encouraging arrivals
To speed up the recovery of the city’s tourism sector, MGTO will continue promoting Macao as a safe, quality destination. The Office will share information to target market segments through precision marketing, unique tourism products, high-quality services and special promotions with a view to diversifying visitor sources.
In the Mainland visitor market, the Office will strengthen cooperation with e-commerce platforms, explore target market segments and attract potential visitors to Macao. Upon arrival in Macao, the Office will highlight special offers from local merchants to encourage visitors to extend their stay in the city.
In international markets, MGTO will organise and participate in online seminars and presentations, while continuously leveraging online platforms to distribute information. When these markets reopen, the Office will increase its precision marketing and promotion of tourism products, which will help revitalise Macao’s economy.
4. Optimise iconic events and products
MGTO will endeavour to optimise iconic events and products, and bring signature major events into local communities.
The Office is working to put the remodelled Macao Grand Prix Museum into trial operation in the first quarter of 2021. The Museum will hold public guided tours, special exhibitions, workshops and other activities that strengthen interactions with schools and associations, as well as the “tourism + sports” strategy, and will communicate and preserve the Grand Prix racing culture.
MGTO will also optimise the “Step Out, Experience Macao’s Communities – Walking Tour Routes” by availing the glamour of local attractions, connecting community businesses and highlighting distinctive shops and catering establishments, and introducing new consumer groups to local communities.
5. Government service optimisation
MGTO actively supports deliberations on the Law on the Operation of Hotel Establishments and the Law on the Operation of Travel Agencies and Tour Guide Profession. The Office will complete the issuance of digital licences for hotels, restaurants, night clubs and bars.
In line with the Macao SAR Government’s policy to strengthen the governance of funding projects by unification of criteria for funding applications, MGTO will review and update the requirements for activity funding applications to aptly fit the scope of funding.
In support of the strategy to widen the availability of open data, MGTO will continue to open more tourism-related data via the Macao SAR Government Open Data Platform.
Information about MGTO’s Annual Press Conference 2021 is now available at https://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/page/content.php?page_id=200.
| In order to collect local residents’ opinions on Macao’s future tourism development, residents are welcome to fill out the questionnaire on the “Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan” website until 11 March 2021 (https://masterplan.macaotourism.gov.mo/home-en/index.html). |
MGTO’s annual work plan was presented by (from left) Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong, Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, and Deputy Director Ricky Hoi Io Meng 
The work plan for 2021 is presented at the MGTO annual press conference held on 10 February