Held under the theme “Global Convergence, Future Horizons”, the three day event is expected to gather more than 700 exhibitors from 58 countries and regions, alongside over 600 hosted buyers. Spanning 30,000 square metres and featuring around 1,500 booths, the Expo continues to consolidate its role as one of Asia’s leading travel trade platforms.

A strategic moment for Macao tourism

The 2026 edition comes at a pivotal time for Macao’s tourism sector. The city recorded over 40 million visitor arrivals in 2025, surpassing pre pandemic levels and confirming a strong recovery trajectory.

Against this backdrop, the Expo is expected to play a key role in diversifying source markets and strengthening international tourism flows.

“The 14^th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo will once again strive to solidify the city’s advantages as a platform for fostering connections between Macao, the Chinese mainland, and international markets,” said Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).

She added that this year’s edition will place particular emphasis on showcasing multi destination opportunities within the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, leveraging China’s visa free policies to attract international travellers.

A global platform for collaboration

MITE 2026 is expected to bring together over 700 exhibitors from 58 countries and regions, alongside more than 600 hosted buyers, highlighting its growing international reach.

Among the highlights is the “2026 China Spain Portugal Tourism Product Promotion Seminar – Corporate Session”, reflecting Macao’s role as a platform connecting China with Portuguese speaking countries and broader global markets.

The Expo also aims to encourage travel professionals to integrate Macao into broader regional itineraries, combining the destination with neighbouring cities across southern China and the Greater Bay Area. “MITE has become one of the most iconic events that embody the positioning of Macao’s development into a world centre of tourism and leisure endorsed by the Central Government. The event attracts over 10,000 worldwide exhibitors, professional buyers and public visitors every year with over 10 million online impressions,” said Alex Lao, President of Macau Travel Agency Association.

Driving higher value tourism

Beyond visitor numbers, the Expo is positioned as a catalyst for higher value tourism segments, including culture, gastronomy, heritage and events, areas where Macao is increasingly seeking to differentiate itself.

“As Macao’s flagship international tourism event, the 14^th MITE will create for another year a powerhouse of ‘tourism +’,” Fernandes said.

New thematic zones such as the Tourism Technology Exhibition Hall, the Low Altitude Economy Pavilion, and the Silk Road Halal Products Pavilion reflect a broader push towards innovation, diversification and inclusivity.

The event will also tie into wider international dynamics, including the upcoming APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Macao in June 2026, further reinforcing the city’s role on the global tourism stage.

A platform for business and consumers alike

While primarily a trade event, MITE remains open to the public, with free admission across all three days. Visitors will have access to discounted travel products, including hotel stays, air tickets and holiday packages, as well as promotional incentives such as instant discount vouchers and a large scale prize draw.

Free shuttle services and parking facilities will support accessibility, ensuring strong local participation alongside international attendance.

With record visitor figures already achieved and further growth forecast in 2026, the 14^th MITE stands as both a reflection of Macao’s recovery and a forward looking statement of its global ambitions.

L’article Macao International Travel Expo returns as visitor numbers top 40 million est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The PSP announced the data on 4 January 2026 with a post on WeChat, showing 40.06 million visitor arrivals last year, a 1.7% increase on 2019’s pre-COVID benchmark that exceeds the Macau Government Tourism Office’s forecast of 39 million amid a push on international promotional campaigns. The figures mean the autonomous South Chinese coast territory has now recovered from the pandemic. Year on year, the figures represent a 14.7% increase.

@tanattakarn มาเก๊า 10 วิ . #มาเก๊า #macau #macao #macautiktok #รีวิวท่องเที่ยว #รีวิวไปเรื่อย #รีวิวtiktok ♬ original sound – หมูหยองหัวฟู

Visitor arrivals in the former Portuguese territory, sometimes known as the Las Vegas of Asia, were dominated in 2025 by domestic travel from the Chinese mainland, which represented 72.4% of the total during the year. Hong Kong residents accounted for 18.2 %. The data for foreign nationals was reported as 6.9% of arrivals, in addition to Taiwanese guests who composed 2.5%. The data is due to be adjusted by Macau’s official Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC) later in January.

In terms of border crossings, there were 235 million entries and exits in 2025, a rise of 9.8% year-on-year and another record. Entries and exits had already surpassed the pre-pandemic benchmark of 190 million and amounted to 210 million in 2024. The border crossing data includes local residents (36.4%), visitors (33.9%), non-resident workers and family members (26.2%), and non-local students (3.2%).

The two most significant days for entries and exits were 2 May 2025, when Macao recorded 837,000 entries and exits, a daily record then surpassed again on New Year’s Day last week, when 866,000 entries and exits were made. The most-used checkpoint was the Barrier Gate, where 124 million entries and exits took place, 52.7% of the total. Barrier Gate is the historical boundary between Portuguese Macau and Zhuhai in mainland China. It is one of the world’s busiest checkpoints.

Records were also broken at Zhuhai border ports, which handled 2.4 million inbound and outbound passengers over China’s three-day New Year’s Day holiday alone, numbers driven by events such as concerts, countdown ceremonies, and fireworks displays.

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Cheung Kin Chung, president of the Macau Hoteliers and Innkeepers Association, is looking forward to another successful year in 2026, predicting that visitor numbers to the region could increase by up to 8% year-on-year.

“We are entering 2026 with confidence,” he said, adding that hotel occupancy rates and room prices are expected to show steady growth, he said reported by Macau Daily Times and citing “favourable factors” in the city’s culture and tourism sector and Macau’s economic development strategy.

L’article Macau breaks visitor arrival records amid push on international tourism est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

I was introduced to the technology by Misa Chan, Sales Manager at Digital Power, who walked me through a vision of hospitality where a hotel is no longer a passive physical environment but becomes an active, perceptive, autonomous intelligence. If hospitality AI has already transformed booking engines, chatbot concierges and dynamic pricing, what I saw in Macau points to the next frontier. It is AI that lives inside a hotel’s physical space itself, acting proactively long before a guest makes a request.

From IoT to SOI: a new vocabulary for smart hotels

Macau Digit Force Technology is a young company, founded in 2023 and headquartered in Zhuhai, with roots firmly in the Greater Bay Area and ambitions well beyond it.
Misa Chan highlighted a key strength of the company’s engineering team and described its significance in simple terms:

The team carries two decades of chip level engineering expertise. This is an essential asset when AI must run not on remote cloud servers but directly on small embedded devices placed in rooms, lobbies, corridors and service areas.

The company’s objective is both ambitious and unusually focused. It aims to become the AI Scenario Application Expert, shifting artificial intelligence from universal cloud-based models into dedicated agents tailored for real-world vertical needs. In hospitality, this means a hotel-specific intelligence that does not simply respond to commands but understands needs, predicts intentions and acts autonomously in the physical environment.

Athpace describes this approach as SOI, Space Oriented Intelligence, a deliberate evolution from the familiar Internet of Things. Where IoT collects data and responds to triggers, SOI claims to perceive, interpret, learn and execute across multiple modalities, including sound, vision, movement, environmental readings and guest interaction patterns.

During the Expo, Athpace was presented under the theme The Private AI for Every Space Building an Exclusive Private AI Intelligent Solution for Every Real Space. The emphasis on private AI is more than branding. The system is designed for full local deployment, meaning all sensory data and intelligence processing remain inside the physical infrastructure of the hotel. With privacy regulations tightening across the hospitality sector, this approach carries significant relevance.

Inside the Full Scenario Hotel Space Intelligent Agent

The hotel implementation of Athpace is presented as a layered system designed for proactive hospitality. It covers several core functions.

1. Smart deliveries and autonomous movement

Robots connected to the spatial intelligence navigate hallways, lifts and service corridors with awareness of guest movement and occupancy levels. They deliver amenities, room service items or forgotten essentials without manual dispatch. The intelligence orchestrates routes and prioritises tasks based on predicted guest needs.

2. Context-aware voice command

Unlike generic voice assistants, a spatial AI system understands context. It recognises where a request is made, whether in the bathroom, bedroom or corridor, and adapts instructions accordingly. It integrates with hotel management systems while keeping all audio processing inside the hotel’s local network.

3. Space Guardian

This function adds a security and well-being layer. It monitors unusual sounds, detects falls, identifies hazards and notifies staff instantly. For hotels operating large properties with high occupancy, the effect on safety and operational efficiency could be transformative.

4. Behaviour prediction

The system learns from patterns such as typical check-in times, lighting preferences, frequently requested services, and movement flows. Over time, this allows the hotel to anticipate needs, adjust energy use and support staff more intelligently.

A response to hospitality’s rising pressures

Hotels worldwide continue to face labour shortages, rising operating costs and ever-higher digital expectations shaped by technology giants. Studies cited by the American Hotel and Lodging Association indicate that eighty seven percent of hotels remain understaffed. AI concierges alone have already been shown to reduce routine front desk workload by up to thirty percent, allowing staff to focus on the personal and emotional side of hospitality.

Yet Athpace seems to go further. It not only automates interactions. It gives the property a spatial nervous system, a foundation for ambient hospitality where intelligence is embedded throughout a facility instead of existing only in apps or chat widgets.

For guests, this could mean rooms that adjust based on personal habits, services delivered before requests are made and a feeling of subtle but constant care.
For operators, it promises predictive maintenance, optimised housekeeping routes and decision-making supported by live spatial understanding.

Macau’s role in showcasing future hospitality

Macau’s pavilion at the Expo placed strong emphasis on Smart Communication and IoT, Smart Audio Visual and Metaverse and Venture Capital and International Exhibition. The region has positioned itself as a natural testing ground for applied AI and advanced electronic technologies, supported by a vibrant tourism ecosystem and its proximity to the innovation powerhouses of the Greater Bay Area.

Standing in front of the Athpace display, surrounded by beverage preparing robots, self-driving mobility pods and immersive virtual spaces, it became clear how hospitality in this region may evolve faster than elsewhere. The combination of technological agility, high tourist volumes and government-backed innovation frameworks creates an ideal environment for real-world deployment at scale.

A glimpse of tomorrow’s hotel experience

If AI agents transformed online service in the past decade, spatial agents may define the next one. The Full Scenario Hotel Space Intelligent Agent offers a future where rooms understand context rather than rely on keywords, service robots collaborate with an AI that perceives the entire property, privacy is preserved because intelligence runs locally, and hotels operate with greater efficiency, speed and foresight.

In Macau, I saw more than a prototype. I saw the outline of a new category of hotel technology, one that may soon become as standard as property management systems or smart locks.

The age of spatially intelligent hotels has begun.

L’article How spatial intelligence will redefine the future of smart hotels est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Viewers will embark on a journey to discover architectural gems that have withstood time, the diversity of sounds and languages, tasteful cuisine, the vibrant life of a modern city, and much more. 

António Buscardini, director

1. Historic centre and ruins of São Paulo

Macau holds a special place in Asia, a land where East and West meet. Located in south-west China, about an hour from Hong Kong, Macau is the oldest European territory in China. A blend of Chinese culture plus four centuries of Portuguese presence, the city has acquired a rich religious, architectural, linguistic and gastronomic heritage.

It’s no surprise that Macau’s historic center has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2005. This recognition is increasingly attracting the curiosity of many visitors, particularly in front of the ruins of the Church of the Mother of God of São Paulo, built in the early 17^th century. It was the church of the University of Macau, and the first to be built in Asia. Following a serious fire in 1835, the church was ravaged by flames, sparing only the façade and staircases. The ruins of São Paulo have become Macau’s picture postcard. The street sidewalks, which are covered with small, white and black cobblestone, are reminiscent of the cobblestoned streets of Lisbon.

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Just a stone’s throw from the ruins of São Paulo, the documentary then showcases the Leal Senado square. A popular venue for public events and religious celebrations. The square’s namesake, the Senate building, is a neoclassical construction dating from 1784. Its name, “Loyal Senate”, was bestowed by the Portuguese King John IV in recognition of Macau’s loyalty to the Portuguese crown.

2. A-Ma temple

The episode presents the multicultural kaleidoscope of Macau that transports visitors to different times and places around the world. The A-Ma temple is Macau’s oldest building, predating even the city’s foundation. It was here that the first meeting between Portuguese navigators and sailors from the Fu-quine province took place. There’s a legend about a Chinese ship that ran aground in these waters following a terrible storm. A girl levitated opened her arms and hands, and miraculously calmed the storm. After this miracle, the temple was built in homage to this missing goddess.

3. Languages

Macau’s official languages are Portuguese and Cantonese Chinese. Over time, this fusion has given rise to a third language: Macanese Patois or Creole, known simply as Patois to the locals. On 20 February 2009, UNESCO classified the Macanese Patois as critically endangered.

A few local entities have since tried to defend and promote Patois, such as the Miguel Senna Fernandes’ theatre company. Senna Fernandes’ company is called Dóci Papiaçám di Macau, which means “The gentle language of Macau”. Over the last few years, the company has been raising awareness of the language on stage. They have shown that it’s possible to use language for the simpler things of everyday life, especially when talking about more modern things. 

Nowadays, the most successful way of transmitting the Patois is through music, especially on social networks. “We’ve made music too, and there’s already a lot of stuff posted on YouTube,” Miguel Senna Fernandes explains in the documentary. “We even use subtitles, because there are people who are already excited by the music but want to know what the lyrics mean.” The lyrics are in Patois, Portuguese, English and Chinese.

Language is the means by which people communicate with each other, build relationships and create a sense of community. The Lusophone world is the total of Portuguese-speaking countries and regions. The Portuguese-speaking world counts some 270 million individuals from the four corners of the globe. Every year, Macau hosts a three-day festival to celebrate and promote Luso culture.

4. Gastronomy and Chef Yves Duron

Macanese cuisine is probably one of the oldest fusion cuisines in the world. It dates back to the time when the Portuguese discovered the world. They came from Europe, passing through Africa, India, South Asia, particularly Malacca, and finally stopped here in Macau. Along the way, they brought different tastes, and different ingredients from all over the world.

“When they settled in Macau, they included the Chinese ingredients they could find in Macau,” says Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office. “The result is what we call Macanese cuisine.” Thanks to this unique asset, in 2017 Macau joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the Gastronomy category.

In the episode, Chef Yves Duron, a French expatriate, is featured as someone who, over the years, has become very familiar with Macanese fusion cuisine. He is shown going to the São Lourenço market to buy ingredients for Florita Alves’ restaurant to prepare a special fusion dish with her.

Chef Duron then prepares ‘Ameijoas’ Macanese – clams that are sautéed with ingredients such as garlic, onion, shallot, and Portuguese white wine. “I also like to add spicy bell pepper and a lot of cilantro,” the chef explains. He is also shown preparing another typical dish – Poco Cay, which in Chinese means “Portuguese Chicken”. It’s a dish that was created in Macau. Macanese families tried to prepare the dishes they used to eat in Portugal, but with local ingredients, thus achieving new combinations and surprising flavours. 

5. The Macau Grand Prix

The Macau Grand Prix is one of the biggest and most prestigious annual events in the former Portuguese enclave. The circuit has a rich history dating back to May 1954 when the people who wanted to organize the Grand Prix wrote a letter to Paul Dudoit in Hong Kong, asking for support in organizing the first Grand Prix. It was a very important letter.

This Grand Prix has always welcomed the world’s best drivers, from generations such as Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. It also hosts a variety of races, including Formula 3, GT and touring car. The Guia circuit is renowned for its demanding nature and the danger it represents for competitors. Narrow streets, tight walls and high-speed sections create an exciting environment for drivers.

“I remember Michael Schumacher who, after winning Monaco in F1, said that Monaco is very special as a city circuit just like Macau,” João Manuel Costa Antunes, former director of the Macau Grand Prix, explains in the documentary. “The fact that he mentioned Macau was huge for us.”

Today the Macau Grand Prix Museum is the living memory of over 70 years of history. Renovated in 2021, with state-of-the-art multimedia screens, racing exhibits and barrier-free features, it offers visitors a fascinating journey through Macau’s motorsport heritage.

6. Architecture and urban landscape

Since the Fortune Tower was built in 1986, almost 200 skyscrapers have sprung up in Macau. An impressive new architectural landscape that attracts several million tourists every year. Over the past two decades, Cotai Street has become a new symbol of Macau’s identity.

Here, visitors can see clusters of spectacular resorts all along Cotai Street. There are several dozen luxury hotels with very original designs. “As an architect, it’s very interesting to witness these large developments,” says architect Christine Choi. “You really see the precision and attention to design at an architectural and technological level.”

In the heart of Cotai street, there is a very pleasant footpath that gives visitors a privileged view of the many resorts and also of the Taipa district.

L’article New travel documentary on Macau premieres on TV5 Monde est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Golden Week holiday takes place twice a year for Chinese citizens – once around the Lunar New Year and once around the National Day. First introduced in 1999, many people make use of the time to travel, to visit family and to take part in leisure activities. Even though the Chinese increasingly travel long-distance during this period, many also stay within China or visit more nearby destinations such as Macao. 

This year, Macao welcomed 916,215 visitors during the first six days of the holiday, which often takes place in October and sometimes coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Numbers from the Government Tourism Office confirm 792,927 arrivals between 1 and 5 October, while preliminary data from the city’s Public Security Police for 6 October show an extra 123,288 arrivals. The daily average for the first five days thus stands at 158,585 visitors, with a record-breaking 174,234 visitors arriving on 3 October. 

Citizens from mainland China and Hong Kong represent the most important influx. Between 1 and 5 October, mainland visitors represented 678,067 arrivals or a percentage of 85.5%. According to data from the Macao Government Tourism Office, travellers from Hong Kong accounted for 79,895 arrivals or a percentage of 10.1%. 

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During the Golden Week holiday, many businesses in Macao welcome nearly one million visitors, which greatly benefits from the high visitor numbers. The Macau Hoteliers and Innkeepers Association reported a 95% occupancy rate during the holiday week. However, according to the chairman of the Federal General Commercial Association of Macau SMEs, Andy Wu, not all businesses were able to reach their pre-pandemic transaction volumes. This suggests that small and medium-sized businesses should find ways to attract young clients. Additionally, there was a “record-breaking” volume of bets in Macao’s premium mass betting segment during this National Day Golden Week holiday, as indicated by a survey conducted by Citigroup.

L’article Macao sees almost one million visitors during Golden Week holiday est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

On 14 September, guests of the hotel had the chance to experience a wide range of authentic regional delicacies from Portugal and China, along with handpicked wines and spirits, and live music. From Portuguese coastal seafood to fiery Sichuan favourites, comforting desserts or creative cocktails, the celebration ensured every guest found something they loved.

The bazaar featured live-action cooking where chefs created Portuguese, Macanese and neighbourhood dishes. In a nod to the maritime history of Macau, wooden archways were built into the interiors above, and the Portuguese mosaic tiles (azulejos) on the floor reminded of the city’s European heritage.

From the northern Portuguese region of Trás-os-Montes and Douro, among others, guests enjoyed Bola de Carne à Transmontana (Smoked Charcuterie and Olive Oil Bread), Cozido à Portuguesa (Portuguese Meat and Vegetable Stew), and Toucinho do Céu (Egg and Almond Cake). The central Portuguese regions of Beiras and Estremadura was represented through Sopa de Peixe da Nazaré (Seafood Soup), Pataniscas de Bacalhau (Codfish Flat Cakes with Tomato Rice), Arroz de Cabidela (Chicken and Blood Rice).

From the southern regions of Alentejo and the Algarve, visitors found Sopa Alentejana com Bacalhau (Garlic and Coriander Soup with Sourdough and Codfish), Carne de Porco à Alentejana (Braised Pork Collar with Clams and Fried Potatoes), Sericaia (Cinnamon and Egg Clay Cake). And from the islands of Madeira and the Azores came dishes such as Polvo Guisado dos Açores (Red Wine Stewed Octopus with Garlic Olive Oil).

A nod to Macau’s cultural diversity, the bazaar brought the culinary landscape of Portugal and China to life through the expertise of Andaz Macau’s Portuguese Executive Chef – André, and the Chefs de Cuisine of Galaxy Macau’s Chinese restaurants – Bei Shan Lou, Spicy Sichuan and Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant – offering regional signature dishes from the North, West and South of China.

The dishes were accompanied by Poncha from Madeira, wines from famous Portuguese regions such as Douro and Dão, and wine from Ningxia, while eclectic live music played throughout the event.

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Marking a successful first year for Andaz Macau, which officially opened on 15 September 2023, the event also supported the Macau SAR Government’s ‘Tourism + Gastronomy’ initiative and the efforts to develop the city into a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure”.

The largest Andaz hotel in the world, with over 700 rooms and suites, Andaz Macau has already won a host of accolades and awards, including The Best Hotels in Macau Top 5 in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024, the Most Anticipated New Hotel of the Year 2023 on HotelShare Media, Best New Hotel in China in the TTG China Travel Awards, and Best Trendy Hotel in The Bund Design Hotel Awards.

L’article Guests greeted with Sino-Luso gastronomic bazaar at Andaz Macau one year anniversary est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Now that the region has succeeded in its urban transformation, Macau is poised to strike a balance through the creation of a nature-inspired luxury escape from Macau’s lively city centre. Next year, it will begin offering an experience connecting visitors to Macau’s rich cultural history with the opening of a new Capella Hotel at the Galaxy Macau complex. It will also be the first Capella Hotel Group property in China’s Greater Bay area.

The Galaxy Macau complex is a consecutive winner of Forbes Travel Guide for best integrated resort with the highest number of Forbes Five-Star hotels under one roof in the world. Soon, in mid-2025 it will claim yet another hotel.

At 17 stories, the Capella Macau will be one of the group’s smaller hotels, creating a truly tranquil experience. Evan Kwee, the Capella Hotel Group’s vice-chairman, has stated that the grand opening will also be an opportunity to connect travellers with the local community through this cultural immersion.

The hotel will feature breath-taking panoramic views of the Macau skyline for its 93 rooms. Capella will be composed of 57 suites featuring balconies and private plunge pools along with 36 Sky Villas. Each villa will hold a real licence to entertain, including a private infinity pool, a karaoke room, a hidden winter garden and much more. The rooms contain exquisite jungle and tropical landscape-inspired interiors, created by the renowned Belgian and French designers, Claire Bētaille and Bruno Moinard.

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Beyond the privacy of the guests’ own pocket retreat, the resort has many facilities to enjoy, including the Living Room – the hotel’s magnificent lounge area exhibiting a carefully curated art collection, echoing Macau’s extensive cultural influences.

Michelin-starred chef, Vicky Cheng, will be poised to create an unforgettable epicurean experience as head chef of the hotel’s restaurant. Cheng has distinguished himself not only as a chef but a true culinary artist, bringing a unique East meets West gastronomic style of modern Chinese tastes with classic French cooking techniques.

Guests can digest in comfort by retiring to the equestrian polo inspired, members-only, open-air lounge, Pony & Plume. Envisioned by one of Hong Kong’s most successful interior designers, Albert Kwan, the opulence continues through the provision of rare Cuban cigars, select cocktails and top-level whiskies.

This highly anticipated opening could see Macau evolving not only into an unparalleled retreat haven, but becoming more renowned for its rich cultural heritage; a notable feat in a world where tradition is slowly slipping away.

L’article Capella’s first Macau hotel to open in 2025 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

As one might expect from a Palazzo Versace, the interior of the hotel in Macau bathes in Italian elegance and luxury. Two Italian restaurants based inside the 12-story building cover the gastronomic aspect of Italian culture and a spa and several swimming pools add a touch of la dolce vita. The decor combines rich marble floors with antique-looking mirrors, Versace logos with grandiose mouldings and kitsch armchairs with Baroque-inspired side tables.

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It speaks for itself that the opening ceremony of such a place couldn’t go unnoticed. Donatella Versace herself led the event and she was joined by Daisy Ho, managing director of SJM Resorts. The guest list included, amongst others, global brand ambassador Rosy Zhao, model Chrissy Teigen and her husband John Legend, who gave a performance during the night.

“I am delighted to celebrate the opening of this truly beautiful Palazzo Versace here in Macau with an amazing performance by the incredible John Legend. It is wonderful to bring together so many friends for such a special event to mark the opening”, said Donatella Versace. “I know that Palazzo Versace will continue this warm welcome for every guest who comes to visit for many years to come.”

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Aside from John Legend, some of the opening night’s highlights included a golden dragon sculpture by the outdoor pool and a performance by harpist Dan Yu and the Macau Orchestra. Guests also had the opportunity to have a look at the Versace Signatures exhibition.

Thanks to its location in Cotai, the gaming and tourism zone on a strip of land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, and its over-the-top decor, the new Versace hotel will without doubt quickly become a staple in Macau’s luxury hotel scene.

L’article Palazzo Versace Macau opens with star-studded event est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In only 6 days of the festivities in 2019, the city recorded more than one million visitors and this year is finally catching up with that number. Authorities are anticipating 960,000 tourists, with an average of 120,000 per day. Taking into account how the holiday is going so far, Macao seems on track to accomplish if not exceed inbound tourism expectations.

On 10 February, the first day of the holiday, the city recorded over the 120,000 visitors estimated. On the following day, 163,000 tourists came to Macao and, according to preliminary figures from the Public Security Police, a record 217,448 tourists entered the region on Monday, 12 February, setting a new high for single-day entries in Macao. On the busiest day of last year, the fourth of the Lunar New Year calendar, the city only saw 91,000 tourists.

According to the Association of Macao Tourist Agents, most of the visitors will be coming in groups, with an average of 200 tourist groups entering the region each of the first 7 days of the festivities. Licensed tour bus drivers’ employment rate increased by over 100% for the holiday period, showing the high demand for tour bookings, association vice-chairman Tang Ka Man pointed out.

All of the 6 gaming companies operating in the city reported they were completely booked for the holiday season peak days, while smaller hotels reported 80% to 90% occupancy, Lou Chi Leong, president of the Association of Macao Tourist Agents told the Macao Daily News. The high demand is expected to spike hotel prices from 20% to 30% during the Lunar New Year festivities.

Moreover, for the first time in 7 years, taxi fares are expected to rise. According to Macao Daily News, starting fares will increase from 19 Macanese Patacas (MOP – €2.2) to 21 MOP (€2.43), while distance fares will be adjusted from 2 MOP (€0.23) charged for every 240 metres to 2 MOP charged for every 220 metres, while waiting time fees should change from 2 MOP for every 60 seconds to 2 MOP for every 55 seconds.

L’article Macao expects almost 1 million visitors during Lunar New Year holiday period est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The service, which started on 1 January, is hoped to enhance travel between Hong Kong and Macao and to make both destinations more attractive to tourists. The Macao Government Tourism Office is working together with a bus company in order to guarantee the connection between the two destinations.

Even though the service won’t be automatically integrated into the plane ticket, travellers who are interested in the offer can easily apply for free bus tickets. In order to do so, they will have to pay a visit to the dedicated bus service counter. Based on travel documents and boarding passes and some necessary details they will be able to receive complimentary bus tickets. The offer will be available throughout January 2024 and the free tickets are issued on a first come first served basis, limited to availability.

The Macao Government Tourism Office has launched the offer through several (social) media outlets, hoping it will attract as many tourists as possible. As there are many events planned in Macao during the promotion period, travellers will have more than enough reasons to jump on the bus. The light festival Light Up Macao, the 22^nd Macao City Fringe Festival and the MGM Macao International Regatta are just some of the scheduled events.

L’article Macao tourism office launches free buses from Hong Kong International Airport est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.