A delegation of 11 Mainland news outlets and “we-media”, including People’s Daily Online, made a familiarisation visit to Macao in December called the “Integrated Media Visit to Macao”.
Through multimedia and social media posts, the invited media were able to promote Macao’s rigorous measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s latest developments in tourism, and the message that Macao is a healthy and fascinating destination, encouraging Mainland residents to visit the city.
The delegation arrived in Macao on 2 December for a five-day familiarisation visit. The group explored different districts in depth, and saw the A-Ma Temple, Moorish Barracks, St. Lawrence’s Church and Dom Pedro V Theatre in the Historic Centre of Macao. Other sightseeing spots included museums, state-of-the-art integrated resorts and other tourism facilities. The delegation also visited distinctive local shops and spoke to business owners on Rua de Cinco de Outubro.
The media group enjoyed a first-hand taste of the glamour and signature cuisines offered in Macao, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and visited a restaurant’s kitchen to participate in making local delicacies.
MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes told the group about Macao’s pandemic policies and prevention measures, the progress of economic recovery, distinctive tourism products, promotional offers for visitors and future tourism development strategies.
The visiting media helped promote the safe, fun-filled and holistic travel experiences Macao has to offer, and bolster Mainland residents’ confidence in Macao and their intention to visit. Reports were distributed over several promotional channels such as live broadcast, Toutiao, Douyin and Xiaohongshu. The coverage highlighted measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic, the wide use of nucleic acid tests to detect COVID-19, the convenience of cross-border travel, the diversity of travel experiences, and promotional offers.
Following Beijing Macao Week last September, an event organised by the Macao SAR Government, the “Integrated Media Visit to Macao” was the first significant Mainland media delegation welcomed by MGTO since the COVID-19 pandemic was contained locally.
Since the full reinstatement of travel permit issuance for Mainland residents to Macao on 23 September, MGTO has actively forged partnerships with a range of Mainland media, key opinion leaders (KOLs) and other media platforms with a message that “Macao is a healthy city, welcoming Mainland residents to visit without requirement of medical observation”. MGTO will continue to promote Macao as a healthy and fascinating destination through major social media and online tourism platforms.
Macao Government Tourism Office Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes meets the Mainland media 
Media take a closer look at pandemic prevention measures for arrivals 
Cultural displays incorporated folk dancing in the Historic Centre of Macao, featured in the UNESCO World Heritage List 
A tour of Macao’s neighbourhoods involved visits to local distinctive shops 
Mainland media show their enthusiasm as they learn to create local signature delicacies