Macau Bolsters Stance as Emerging Destination for the Iberian Market
Macau has leveraged its presence at FITUR 2026 to reinforce its status as a tourism destination that is as emerging as it is attractive and strategic for the Spanish and European markets, highlighting its unique cultural identity, its leisure offerings, high-end experiences, and its privileged position within Asia.
Among the personalities present during the presentation were: Chen Wai Tong, Deputy Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO); Ana Choi, representing Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Tourism Office; Carlos Baptista, Vice President of APAVT (Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies); Carlos Garrido, President of CEAV (Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies); Javier Martín-Sonseca, Sales and Marketing professional for Air China; and Bruno Simões, General Manager of the destination management agency DOC DMC Macau & Hong Kong.
During the event, Garrido maintained that: “Macau is not yet a common destination for the Spanish traveler and, for 그 precisely that reason, it is so interesting for tourism. Often the greatest potential is not in well-known destinations, but in those yet to be discovered.”
Despite this, destination representatives stressed that Spain is one of its key markets in Europe, with sustained growth in arrivals since 2023 following the pandemic. Consequently, Macau is working on an international expansion strategy based on collaboration with travel agencies, tour operators, and airlines, in which Air China and Air Macau collaborate to provide visitors with affordable rates, starting from 230 euros (round trip), offering daily flights to various points in Europe.
Among the destination's main competitive advantages, its excellent location near Hong Kong was highlighted, as well as its visa facilitation policies for European travelers in China. Macau is also positioned as an ideal complement within Asian itineraries that include destinations such as Beijing, Bangkok, or other major capitals in the region.
Macau’s tourism offerings include a Historic Center declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, being designated by the organization as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. It hosts an intense cultural agenda and international events such as the Macau International Music Festival, world-class shows like The House of Dancing Water, museums such as the Grand Prix Museum, as well as sporting activities, tax-free shopping, and family leisure proposals.
In the same vein, new tourism products were presented, such as gastronomic routes, Macanese and Portuguese fusion culinary workshops, cultural experiences, Chinese calligraphy workshops, dragon boat races, helicopter flights, or panoramic experiences from the Macau Tower, reinforcing the diversity of proposals for different traveler profiles.
