Macau tourism authorities are planning to organize promotional events and roadshows in Middle Eastern cities as part of their efforts to attract more international visitors.
Several legislators expressed concerns during the 2025 Legislative Assembly’s policy debate regarding the expansion of international visitor sources and efforts to attract tourists to the region.
Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes has revealed that the department has looked to expand visitors from Southeast Asia and from the Middle East, with several roadshows and promotional events prepared.
The MGTO is organizing five overseas roadshows to take place between late April and June, including events in Seoul, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
Additionally, relevant travel agencies from Europe and Portugal will participate in meetings in Macau, and the authorities continue to seek more exchanges with relevant chambers of commerce and associations visiting the city.
The bureau will also launch activities in partnership with “known cartoon brands” in four neighborhoods in the city in June, as part of efforts to attract international travelers and bring visitors into the region.
Visitor arrivals increased by 11.1 percent year-on-year to 9.8 million in the first quarter of 2025.
International visitors totaled 682,442 in the first quarter, up by 16.9 percent year-on-year. Regarding the Southeast Asian markets, visitors from the Philippines (126,559), Indonesia (53,643), Malaysia (47,094) and Singapore (26,356) rose by 10.4 percent, 36.5 percent, 18.2 percent and 2.8 percent year-on-year respectively, while those from Thailand (35,073) decreased by 9.2 percent.
With respect to the South Asian markets, visitors from India (19,135) dropped by 3.4 percent year-on-year. For the Northeast Asian markets, visitors from the Republic of Korea (172,255) and Japan (44,663) grew by 33 percent and 23.6 percent respectively.
As regards long-haul markets, visitors from the USA (36,629) went up by 9.7 percent year-on-year.
Senna Fernandes mentioned that this year, the MGTO has temporarily planned five international roadshow projects, collaborating with cities in the Greater Bay Area to develop overseas visitor sources, and organizing promotional activities in conjunction with the National Games.
