In order to further leverage the role of Macao as a platform for promoting pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries in the field of tourism, and to contribute to the development of Macao as a world tourism and leisure centre, the “Promotion Seminar of Tourism Products from Portuguese-speaking Countries”, jointly organized by the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) and the Macao Government Tourism Office, was held on 23 September, at 3pm, at the Naples Meeting Room of Cotai Expo, The Venetian Macao. The event was attended by about 100 representatives, including those from the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao SAR, the diplomatic missions of Portuguese-speaking countries in Macao, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, and other sectors of Macao.

Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Mr. Ji Xianzheng, and Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, among other guests, attended the opening ceremony and delivered addresses. Mr. Ji Xianzheng said tourism is a key sector for China and Portuguese-speaking countries to carry out exchanges and cooperation, adding that the Permanent Secretariat has been committed to promoting exchanges and cooperation with the tourism sectors of the participating countries in areas such as project development, industry management, personnel training and product promotion. He mentioned that in the Joint Declaration approved by the Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of Forum Macao held in April 2022, it was made clear that all member countries “agreed to take joint actions to reinforce cultural dissemination and tourism promotion”. He also noted that the participating countries of Forum Macao are located across four continents, separated by mountains and seas, and the nine Portuguese-speaking countries have an abundance of tourism resources. He hoped that, through the seminar, participants could learn more about the beauties of nature, people and culture of Portuguese-speaking countries, explore new opportunities for cooperation in tourism between Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries, and contribute to the recovery and development of the tourism industry and the economy.

Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said the hosting of the “Promotion Seminar of Tourism Products from Portuguese-speaking Countries” added radiance to this year’s Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo, adding that the events jointly function to explore new opportunities for cooperation in the field of tourism between Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries, promote the recovery of the tourism economy and the sustainable development of the tourism industry, and demonstrate the unique charm and strength of Macao as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

The representatives of the participating Portuguese-speaking countries of Forum Macao promoted their tourism resources and products and interacted with the audience on issues of interest.

The “Promotion Seminar of Tourism Products from Portuguese-speaking Countries” was held on the sidelines of the 10th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE). In addition to the Promotion Seminar, the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao set up the “Portuguese-speaking Countries Pavilion” to promote Forum Macao, the role of Macao as a platform, and the investment environments in Portuguese-speaking countries.