The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Summit 2024, held from May 15 to 17 in Macao, featured immersive experiences that showcased the city’s evolution into a global tourism hub. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) organized various activities, including workshops highlighting Macao’s unique blend of Eastern and Western heritage, a walking tour of the city’s key tourist spots, and an evening open-top bus tour. These events allowed delegates from the Asia Pacific region to witness firsthand Macao’s vibrant tourism offerings.
On May 17, delegates participated in two cultural workshops. One focused on baking Portuguese egg tarts and Macanese Genete cookies, while the other taught the art of painting Portuguese blue tiles. In the evening, an open-top bus tour offered panoramic views of Macao’s illuminated streets and landmarks.
The following day, delegates embarked on a comprehensive tour of Macao, Taipa, and Coloane. They visited the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Macao, including the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, and other landmarks. The tour also showcased newly revitalized tourist spots such as the Former Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Taipa and the Lai Chi Vun Shipyards in Coloane.
The summit, hosted at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau by MGTO and co-hosted by SJM Resorts, S.A., welcomed approximately 450 tourism industry representatives from about 30 countries and regions. It served as a platform to present Macao’s latest developments and its capacity as a ‘tourism + MICE’ destination, significantly enhancing its international stature.
