Macau Tourism Week 2002 kicks off September 5

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) yesterday convoked a press conference where Director of MGTO, Engo João Manuel Costa Antunes, introduced the "Macau Tourism Week", which will be marked with a series of activities.

Activities of the "Macau Tourism Week" will be held between September 5th to 16th and the 3 major parts include MGTO delegation's visit and promotion in Beijing, MGTO Annual Marketing Meeting and the "Macau Fireworks Fiesta 2002".

A total of 28 representatives from 15 MGTO overseas markets will arrive in Macau on September 3rd. Among the 28 representatives, 19 of them will join the MGTO delegation led by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Dr. Chui Sai On to Beijing on September 4th, to carry out the four days' visit and promotions. This visit will unveil the "Macau Tourism Week".

The four days' itinerary includes a meeting with National Tourism Administration, tourism product presentation and photo exhibition. On the other hand, the overseas representatives will visit famous historical relics in Beijing.

In the conference, Engo João Manuel Costa Antunes expressed that representative of the China National Tourism Administration will introduce the tourism development of China to the MGTO overseas representatives who can gain a better knowledge of the Tourism Industry of China. This will help them to promote Macau and even regional tourism with Mainland China in overseas.

MGTO will invite 41 travel agencies (i.e. for outbound tours) and 30 some representatives of the media organizations in Beijing to take part in the tourism product presentation, illustrating the most updated condition of the Macau tourism industry, and introducing to them the latest Macau tourism products and facilities.

MGTO will launch a photo exhibition of Macau scenes depicting its architecture, culture and festivals at "Xindongan Plaza", located on Beijing's busiest commercial street to promote Macau Tour to the Beijing citizens.

During the "Macau Tourism Week", MGTO will sign a protocol of cooperation with the World Trade Centre Macau, to jointly develop and promote the MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Exhibition) industry of Macau.

Peter de Jong, CEO of Pacific Asia Travel Association will pay a visit to Macau and meet with the Chief Executive and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Dr Chui Sai On.

On the other hand, Director of the Guangdong Tourism Administration Zheng Tongyang will lead a delegation to Macau on September 13th. During his stay, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Dr. Chui Sai On will meet with Director Zheng, and MGTO will have a Summit meeting with the Guangdong delegation. In addition, a photo exhibition on Guangdong tourism products will also be held in the Macau Tower. Later on, MGTO will lead a delegation to Guangdong and join the Summit meeting of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

The prize giving ceremony of "Wish You Were Here" photography competition will also be held at Macau Tower in Tourism Week.

The three-day Annual Marketing Meeting of Macau Government Tourist Office will open on September 10. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Dr. Chui Sai On will officially open the meeting, and following his address, each overseas representative of MGTO will introduce their marketing performance in the meeting. To update their recent development of Macau tourism, MGTO has also arranged a series of product presentation to the overseas representatives on such as development of MICE, outlook of gaming industry, application for World Heritage, 2005 East Asian Games etc. 

MGTO has invited representatives from the 3 new concessionaires of the gaming industry, Cultural Institutes and Macau Sports Development Board to address the topics. Specialists from Beijing and Australia will also be invited to give insights on MICE tourism and on-line trading platform. Mr. Jon Hutchison, CEO of Sydney Convention & Visitors Bureau, will also share his valuable experience on MICE development of Australia.

The 'Macau Fireworks Fiesta 2002', another highlight event of Tourism Week, will kick off on September 7 to bring a variety of special occasions including the 14th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, a Harley-Davidson Parade and the Fireworks Carnival organized by MGTO and the General Union of Neighbours Association of Macau.

The Fireworks Carnival this year will be held at the Rua da Torre de Macau (next to the car park entrance of Macau Tower). A series of spectacular performance with various themes will be held on each night of fireworks displays in September and October. The five 'Tourism Ambassadors' will also sing and dance to greet the citizens and tourists with hospitality. 

30 stalls selling souvenirs, snacks and accessories will be available at the Fireworks Carnival. A children's playground will be set up to bring more fun to the kids.

The Harley Owners Group of HK will join with the Macau group to ride around Macau, Taipa and Coloane on September 6, 7 and 8. The motorcycles will be staged near the Macau Tower for photos on the first night of firework display on September 7.

The 28 overseas representatives have come to join the activities of 'Macau Tourism Week' and they will leave Macau on September 15, while the 'Macau Tourism Week' will end on September 16.