The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is stepping up promotional efforts in the region to tackle falling tourist arrivals. According to Macau’s Statistics and Census Service, the peninsula experienced a 3.4 per cent year-on-year drop in arrivals to 7.4 million in 1Q 2015.

Visitors from its top two markets, China and Hong Kong, dipped 2.9 per cent and four per cent respectively, while those from Indonesia and Singapore plunged 27.8 per cent and 26.5 per cent respectively.

Head of marketing division of MGTO, Cora Vong, told TTG Asia e-Daily that MGTO is focusing much of its promotions in South-east Asian markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand as these markets yield “the fastest results in the shortest time”.

The gaming capital of Asia is also expanding its attractions to cater to a wider variety of visitors. This includes Broadway Macau, a hawker-style street market with live entertainment, and the Ponte 16 Macau 3D Museum, which features 3D exhibits that visitors can pose with.

New hotels such as The Ritz-Carlton, Macau and JW Marriott Hotel Macau have also been launched, spelling good news for tourists. Hoteliers, now facing new competition, are working with the government to offer more attractive rates and lure more travellers, said MGTO deputy director Cheng Wai Tong.

“We’ve just launched a campaign with a hotel group, offering attractive packages to tourists from Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, starting from now to December.

“There are currently 30,000 rooms available for this campaign and we expect about 20,000 visitors to enjoy the offer,” said Vong.

Three hotels are currently participating in the campaign, although Vong was unable to name them at press time. More properties are expected to join if the campaign proves successful, she added.

Source: http://ttgasia.com/article.php?article_id=25556