Macau, China, April 10, 2026 (Lusa) - Macau’s tourism authorities announced on Friday that they are considering covering transport costs for international tourists landing at Guangzhou airport in southern China, to incentivise visitors to travel to Macau.
“We are considering covering transport costs for international guests arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International airport, so that they can travel to Macau upon arrival”, said Macau’s Tourism Bureau (DST) director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes.
Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, is situated approximately 150 kilometres from Macau.
Macau’s government covered transport costs for international tourists arriving via Hong Kong International airport as part of ongoing efforts to diversify the region’s visitor base, she said, adding that the potential new measure was a response to the reduction in flights from Europe and the Middle East to Hong Kong, caused by the ongoing conflict in Iran.
"There are direct flights from Europe to Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou", she said.
The announcement was made during the first day of the 14th Macau International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE).
Macau’s economy and finance secretary, Tai Kin Ip, said at the opening ceremony that given the uncertainties of the international climate and current geopolitics, it was essential for Macau to broaden its tourist resources.
“The Macau government will continue to diversify its tourism product offering, organise major events, improve supporting infrastructure and strengthen publicity and promotion, seize opportunities in times of risk and proactively invest in the expansion of international visitor resource markets,” Kin Ip said.
The three-day expo, held at the Venetian Macau hotel-casino under the theme “Global Convergence, Horizons of the Future”, features over 130 activities, including tourism promotion sessions, industry forums, workshops and shows.
According to the DST, the expo covers various sectors ranging from hospitality to transport, cultural and creative enterprises, and areas related to the government’s “1+4” economic diversification strategy.
The "1+4" strategy serves as Macau’s economic diversification plan, designed to reduce the territory's reliance on the gambling industry, entailing boosting the core tourism and leisure sector, simultaneously promoting four key areas: health, modern finance, high technology, conventions, exhibitions, trade, and sport.
The DST said that the expo would feature over 700 domestic and international exhibitors, including nine from Portuguese-speaking countries, and that it would assist in expanding business networks, fostering regional and international tourism markets.
JW/MYAL // AYLS
Lusa
