The 12th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE), coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Macao SAR, concluded successfully on April 28, 2024, at the Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao. Aligned with the ‘1 + 4’ development strategy, the Expo showcased seven key highlights under the theme ‘Meet at MITE: Discovery, Networking, Interaction!’ It attracted global tourism industry stakeholders for professional exchange and exploration.
Over the three-day event, 55 contracts were signed and over 37,000 attendees were welcomed. The MAK MAK grand lucky draw generated revenue exceeding 8.45 million patacas, reflecting a significant 50% increase from the previous Expo. The exhibition space expanded to 30,000 square meters, making this year’s event the largest in MITE’s 12-year history. It featured 1,353 booths and 668 exhibitors from 54 countries, representing various zones of the tourism industry.
MITE hosted 502 buyers, including international, Mainland, and local participants from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Expo positioned Macao as a key hub for international travel industry exchanges, attracting participants from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania, including 17 national tourism offices. It also highlighted the involvement of countries along the Belt and Road and Portuguese-speaking nations, as well as significant participation from the Greater Bay Area.
Beyond facilitating global networking, the Expo offered 55 presentations, forums, and activities to update attendees on the latest tourism developments from Macao and worldwide. The ‘1 + 4 Pavilion’ showcased a diverse range of products and services from sectors such as health and wellness, modern financial services, and innovative technology, highlighting the ‘1 + 4’ economic diversification strategy.
The MGTO actively facilitated public-private partnerships during the event, resulting in 55 signed agreements involving 107 entities from Macao, mainland China, and various other countries. The Expo also hosted over 13,000 in-person and nearly 1,500 online business matching sessions, enabling global industry players to expand their networks.
To further enhance collaboration, MITE introduced the inaugural ‘Belt and Road Products Pavilion,’ featuring unique products from eight countries and regions along the Belt and Road initiative. This pavilion provided new opportunities for importing exceptional goods and expanding into new markets.
The ‘Macao – Hengqin Outdoor Camping Industry Salon’ marked a unique collaboration between the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. This collaboration introduced the Macao-Hengqin Camqing Fair 2024 and showcased the synergies between Macao and Hengqin.
Prominent cultural institutions like the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China participated in the Themed Pavilion of Cultural Museums and Educational Tourism. The ‘A Museum Journey: Macao and China Cultural Exchange Meeting’ promoted the integration of tourism with education and culture.
The ‘New Media Matrix’ initiative involved 74 exhibitors leveraging multiple social media platforms to broadcast their offerings. Nine influencers conducted live streams and promotions, generating over 20 live streams and 123 promotional posts, amassing a total of 12.45 million views and impressions.
The MAK MAK grand lucky draw saw an impressive increase in popularity, distributing a wide range of enticing prizes. The total receipts collected during the three-day Expo amounted to 8.45 million patacas, marking a significant 50% increase from the previous event.
Nearly 100 representatives from international travel agency associations and about 500 hosted buyers from various countries visited Macao to participate in the MITE and the Trade Gathering Mini-Mart. They experienced the diverse ‘tourism +’ elements of Macao and explored tourism opportunities in Hengqin.
Starting with this edition, MITE will be held annually in April, allowing exhibitors to capitalize on the pre-summer holiday period. This change aims to foster collaboration with global industry partners and promote continuous progress and sustainable tourism development.
