The "12th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo in Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region" was unveiled today (26 October) with seven highlights and the slogan "Gathering Business Opportunities at MITE", creating the largest MITE in its history, attracting tourism and related industry players from home and abroad to Macao, promoting exchanges, discussing cooperation, expanding business opportunities, expanding business and sustainable development.
This year's MITE is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Officiating at the opening ceremony were Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Zheng Xincong, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Zhang Zheng, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, Liu Xianfa, Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Lei Wai Nong, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in China Arziyev Farhod, Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) Ji Xianzheng, Director of the Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government Koo Mei Ling, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the People's Government of Anhui Province Zhou Mingjie, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Hezhou Municipal Committee and Mayor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Peng Daiyuan, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Zhang Hua, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes Liu Zhen, Deputy Director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Huang Xizhong, Second Class Inspector of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, and Lau Nga Wong, President of the Macau Travel Agency Association, etc.
The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Lee Wai Nong, said in his speech that after the hard work of the 11th edition, MITE has become an important platform for international tourism exchange and cooperation, and has been fully affirmed by the tourism industry at home and abroad. Building on the successful experience of the past, this year's MITE has further expanded the exhibition area to host the seven highlights, creating a powerful vehicle for everyone to bring together different "tourism +" elements, welcoming more domestic and overseas exhibitors and buyers to exchange and explore business opportunities, and further highlight Macao's advantages. We look forward to seeing Macao's and overseas counterparts join hands to realise the vision of "Bringing together business opportunities at MITE" through MITE, an international brand event for the tourism industry.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Zhang Zheng said that in the 12 years since its inception in 2013, MITE has gradually developed into a tourism platform connecting Macao, the Mainland and the international market through professional, market-oriented, international and branded operations. This year, a total of 19 cultural and tourism administrative departments and enterprises from 19 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), as well as the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China, participated in the exhibition. We believe that through this year's Expo, the tourism industry of the Mainland, Macao and the international tourism industry will further enhance understanding, explore business opportunities, and better complement each other's strengths and achieve win-win cooperation.
The 12th edition of the Expo will be held from April 26 to 28 at The Venetian Macao's Cotai Expo Arena A, B and C, with free admission to the public.
The scale of this year's MITE is the largest in 12 years, with the largest exhibition area, number of booths and exhibitors, number of Belt and Road countries or regions, and number of invited buyers.
The exhibition area has been expanded from two halls to three pavilions with a total area of 30,000 square metres. A total of 668 exhibitors from 54 countries and regions set up 1,353 booths, including 290 in the Mainland Pavilion, 399 in the Macao Pavilion, 35 in the Hong Kong and Taiwan Pavilion, 218 in the International Pavilion and 411 in other pavilions, as well as about 500 international invited buyers, Mainland Invited Buyers and buyers from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This year's MITE will be open for one hour longer every day than last year to meet the diverse needs of visitors and the public.
Seven highlights of this year's MITE include "One Hall, Two Pavilions" to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region, "1+4 Exhibition Areas" with "New Media Matrix" to boost industrial layout, "One MICE Two Places" to promote the new development of tourism in Macao and Qinqin, the first "Belt and Road Commodity Pavilion" to create a new window, the "Combination of Quality, Quantity and Efficiency" to activate the "main engine" of consumption, the "Cultural and Museum Research Theme Zone" to grasp the "research fever" to open up visitor source markets, and the "Green and Low-Carbon Expo" to promote sustainable development through various measures.
For the first time, the "Belt and Road Commodity Pavilion" was set up to display special commodities from 39 countries and regions along the "Belt and Road". The venue will set up a "Cultural and Museum Research Theme Exhibition Area" and launch the "Know in Action" itinerary competition to encourage participants to design research itineraries with Macao's uniqueness and innovation, and promote the development of Macao's research and learning industry. A number of carbon reduction measures have been taken to help promote the sustainable development of the "Green and Low-Carbon Expo". In addition, MGTO and the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will jointly hold the "Macao-Hengqin Outdoor Camping Industry Salon" at the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin in addition to the outdoor camping exhibition area at the Macao Pavilion, in addition to the "One MICE and Two Places" format, while the "Macao-Hengqin Camping Festival" will be postponed due to unstable weather. The "1+4 exhibition area" has more than doubled in area compared with the previous year, and continues to promote the development of four key industries, including health, modern finance, high-tech, convention and exhibition, commerce and trade, and culture and sports.
More than 40 product and destination promotion seminars, forums and other events will be held during this year's MITE to continue to bring residents and visitors the latest tourism information and products from Macao and around the world.
The "New Media Matrix" presents exhibitors' products and services in an online format, bringing together 9 influencers on 10 social platforms to conduct live streaming and promotion for exhibitors through all-round and multi-channel channels, so as to increase the online transaction volume of exhibitors. Sending popular influencers with millions of followers to the exhibition hall of the Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries to promote the products of Portuguese-speaking countries in the exhibition hall and help Portuguese-speaking countries products enter the mainland market.
MITE provides an online business matching system, PSA, which allows buyers and exhibitors to make appointments and conduct online meetings 26 days before and 1 day after the fair (a total of 30 days). During the Expo, a series of signing ceremonies will be held at the Pavilion to promote business cooperation between Macao and industry players from different countries and regions.
The "Food Gallery" and the "Wine Gallery" show the cross-border integration momentum, and the venue can easily taste and enjoy a variety of fine food and wine. A number of exhibitors will launch limited-time promotional products at the Expo, as well as the "MAK MAK Lucky Draw", where you can participate in the lucky draw by purchasing any product with a single spending of MOP500 or more (valid for 3 days during the exhibition period) and have a chance to win fabulous gifts.
The 12th edition of the Expo will be held from April 26 to 28 at The Venetian Macao's Cotai Expo Arena A, B and C, with free admission to the public. The scale of this year's MITE is the largest in 12 years, with the largest exhibition area, number of booths and exhibitors, number of Belt and Road countries or regions, and number of invited buyers.
The Expo is open for one hour longer every day than last year. It is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on 26 April, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on 27 April and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 28 April.
During the Expo, there will be four free shuttle bus routes between Macao and Taipa, including the pick-up and drop-off area at Rua da da Wing Tim (Tower 1), Rua da Dr. Lo Po (near Macau Plaza), Avenida da Holland Park (near Pak Wai Bus Stop) and Rua da Seoul (near Garden of Hoco 21), and free parking is also available to the public at Hall D or E.
This year's MITE will continue to be strongly supported by the supporting organisations, co-organisers, six leading partners and sponsors. For more exciting content and the latest information, please visit the Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo website www.mitexpo.mo Facebook page and WeChat account.
Press kit and photo source: MGTO