In an effort to strengthen tourism ties between Japan and Macao, a delegation of 25 Japanese travel professionals recently completed a four-day familiarisation trip, from December 5 to 8, organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) in collaboration with the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA).
The trip aimed to deepen the participants’ understanding of Macao’s diverse tourism offerings while also fostering stronger business relationships with local tourism stakeholders. Highlights of the visit included a series of insightful discussions with over 70 Macao tourism professionals, including representatives from travel agencies, airlines, hotels, and other key sectors.
A central event of the familiarisation trip was the MACAO．JAPAN Travel Mart, held on December 6, which brought together travel industry experts from both regions. The focus was on refining travel products and services to cater to the growing Japanese market, a significant source of tourism for Macao. This interactive platform provided an opportunity for Japanese delegates to discuss how best to align offerings with the preferences of Japanese travellers.
During their stay, the group visited a range of iconic attractions across Macao, Taipa, and Coloane, including the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Macao, the Macao Grand Prix Museum, and MinM Plaza. The tour also featured Macao’s culinary scene, providing delegates with a chance to experience the fusion of traditional and contemporary offerings that form part of the destination’s “tourism+” initiative. This initiative blends Macao’s heritage with innovative new attractions, and aims to attract Japanese visitors with fresh tourism products.
Japan remains one of Macao’s top ten international markets, bolstered by daily flights connecting Tokyo and Osaka to the region. Since the lifting of COVID-19 border restrictions in 2023, the MGTO has ramped up efforts to promote Macao to Japanese tourists, with initiatives like the familiarisation trip playing a key role in building long-term business partnerships and raising awareness of the destination’s evolving tourism landscape.
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