Macao claims 10.5% of int'l markets in visitor arrivals

MACAO, June 25 (Xinhua) -- As Macao's tourism industry continues its rapid development, the island city saw its market share of international markets in visitor arrivals rose to 10.5 percent in the first five months of this year, the city's tourism chief said on Wednesday.

During the period, visitor arrivals almost reached 12.6 million, registering an increase of 17.4 percent year-on-year, and the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan continued to be the three largest visitor generating markets, said Joao Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO).

Antunes presented the tourism development of Macao and outlined MGTO's future marketing strategies at the opening ceremony of the MGTO Annual Marketing Meeting held here on Wednesday.

He stressed that MGTO is moving toward the goal of source markets and tourism product diversification.

According to a press release from MGTO, it is putting forward a number of tactics to attract more tourists, which include reinforcing cooperation with airlines on new routes, developing and promoting new tourism products, such as wedding/honeymoon package and strengthening regional cooperation and multi-destination travel.

In addition, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government has provided steadfast support towards the development of business travel and the MICE industry, Antunes added.