In February 2025, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) concluded a successful roadshow in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event, held at The Ritz-Carlton on February 25th, proved to be a milestone in strengthening tourism ties between Macao and Saudi Arabia. The roadshow attracted a significant number of travel trade professionals, business leaders, and key stakeholders, offering a valuable platform to showcase Macao as an ideal destination for family vacations and business tourism.

Engagement with the Saudi Market

The roadshow featured pre-scheduled meetings and networking sessions, allowing Saudi travel professionals to engage with representatives from MGTO and its co-partners. This direct interaction provided attendees with in-depth insights into Macao’s diverse offerings, which span family travel, luxury, culture, and adventure tourism. The event highlighted the unique experiences Macao offers, such as world-class shopping, rich cultural heritage, and luxurious accommodations.

Macao’s growing appeal among Saudi travelers was further emphasized through special promotions tailored to their needs. These included halal-friendly dining options and accommodations designed to cater to Muslim travelers. Additionally, MGTO introduced a newly launched Arabic-English travel guide, developed in partnership with Halaltrip, to help Muslim visitors plan their trips to Macao more easily.

A Cultural Showcase and Strategic Collaborations

The roadshow also featured a vibrant cultural performance, offering a glimpse into Macao’s rich heritage and history. This cultural aspect of the event was particularly important, as it provided attendees with a deeper understanding of Macao’s identity as a city that blends modern luxury with traditional charm. As part of the event, MGTO showcased its award-winning hotels, including 24 five-star properties recognized by the prestigious Forbes 2025 Star Awards, reinforcing Macao’s status as a global leader in hospitality.

One of the major focuses of the roadshow was building stronger business ties between the travel and tourism industries of Macao and Saudi Arabia. The event created an opportunity for Saudi and Macao representatives to form new partnerships and collaborations aimed at boosting tourism between the two regions. This networking platform fostered connections that are expected to lead to enhanced business opportunities and more integrated travel packages for Saudi visitors to Macao.

Macao’s Growing Appeal to Saudi Travelers

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly important market for Macao’s tourism sector. The number of visitors from Saudi Arabia nearly doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing interest in Macao as a travel destination. Saudi travelers are attracted to Macao’s unique blend of culture, history, luxury, and world-class entertainment. This rising interest is expected to continue in the coming years, as Macao strengthens its position as a top global tourism hub.

The roadshow highlighted Macao’s diverse tourism offerings, including its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, luxury shopping districts, and fine dining experiences. Additionally, Macao’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy was showcased, emphasizing the city’s vibrant culinary scene, which is increasingly attracting international visitors. MGTO also introduced its “Travel Stimulation Programs” aimed at encouraging niche tourism, including incentive trips, weddings, student groups, and sports tourism. These programs were designed to offer more tailored travel experiences, targeting diverse traveler segments in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The Impact of Niche Travel Programs and Events

The “Travel Stimulation Programs” launched during the roadshow are part of a broader strategy to diversify the tourism offerings available to Saudi travelers. By offering specialized packages such as incentive trips and destination weddings, Macao aims to cater to specific traveler needs, thereby expanding its reach to a wider audience. These initiatives are expected to generate more business for travel agents and local tourism operators in both Macao and Saudi Arabia, encouraging more visitors to explore the region’s varied tourism products.

Furthermore, Macao is planning to host several exciting events in 2025, which are expected to attract more visitors from Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region. Key events include the Macao International Arts Festival, the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, and Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale. These events will help position Macao as a vibrant cultural and leisure destination, providing additional reasons for tourists from Saudi Arabia to visit the city.

Growing Visitor Numbers and Future Prospects

With the significant increase in visitor arrivals from Saudi Arabia and the continuous promotion of Macao as a premier global travel destination, the roadshow in Riyadh has set the stage for a deeper, more robust tourism relationship between Macao and Saudi Arabia. The positive response from the event, along with the strong demand for Macao’s diverse tourism offerings, positions the region to further benefit from increased tourism in the coming months and years.

Macao’s success in attracting Saudi travelers can also be seen as a reflection of broader trends in global tourism, where cultural and luxury experiences are in high demand. The region’s strategic location, rich heritage, and diverse tourism offerings are likely to continue to drive interest from travelers across the Middle East and beyond.

A Bright Future for Tourism Collaboration

The successful roadshow in Riyadh marked an important chapter in Macao’s ongoing efforts to attract international tourists, especially from the GCC region. With its unique blend of culture, luxury, and world-class hospitality, Macao is well-positioned to further strengthen its tourism relationships with Saudi Arabia. The roadshow, along with new niche travel programs and upcoming events, signals a promising future for the growth of tourism between the two regions.

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