The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has no plans to hold a drone gala show this year due to many uncertainties such as the weather, MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong told the media yesterday, pointing out that the annual “Light up Macao” event will, however, continue to be one of the highlights of MGTO’s large-scale events this year, with its scope expected to be expanded to cover the whole of Macau, in addition to the extension of its duration.
Along with several large-scale events to be held in the second half of this year, Cheng said he was optimistic that the number of Macau’s visitor arrivals in the six-month period would continue to show an upward trend.
According to Cheng, the annual large-scale events between this month and December comprise this month’s Macao Arts Festival (MAF), next month’s International Fireworks Display Contest, October’s National Day “Golden Week” activities, November’s Macau Grand Prix (MGP), and December’s Light up Macao.
MGTO will continue to strive to expand Macau’s international customer base, Cheng said, adding that while carrying out offline promotion campaigns, such as roadshows, in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia regions and countries, MGTO will also strengthen its cooperation with TV stations and internet celebrities to promote Macau online.
When asked about the impact of COVID-19 on travel behaviour and mode preferences, Cheng quoted a statistical report as pointing out that group tourists from the mainland accounted for only 4 percent of the recent total number of visitor arrivals, which was “relatively low” compared to more than 20 percent before the pandemic, showing that people were more likely to travel independently nowadays.
Cheng underlined that MGTO will not introduce any special measures to increase the number of group tourists.
Concerning the “slightly” increased number of complaints that MGTO has been receiving from tourists, Cheng stressed that the government attaches great importance to tourists’ travel experience when visiting Macau, adding that most of the complaints were related to traffic issues.
Cheng said he agreed with the public that there was room for improvement in local transport, adding that the relevant complaints have already been referred to the Transport Bureau (DSAT) for follow-up.
Cheng made the remarks after yesterday’s opening ceremony of the “2023 SJM 11th Asian Junior Wushu Championships”, at The Grand Pavilion of Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) Resort Macau in Cotai.
Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong talks the media after yesterday’s opening ceremony of the four-day “2023 SJM 11th Asian Junior Wushu Championships”, at The Grand Pavilion of Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) Resort Macau in Cotai. – Photo: Yuki Lei
