Festival Frenzy

By Macao Government Tourism Office May 16, 2017 2:57pm

Use the dates of a festival as the ideal way to close a sale when clients are not ready to commit. The added bonus of visiting a destination during a major event, like the many that take place in Macao in southeastern China, just may be the impetus to get them to hand over the credit card. Interest among travelers in “Film/music/art/other festivals” is growing, with almost half of those surveyed in the MMGY Global's Portrait of American Travelers 2016 citing them as “Desirable Vacation Features”; that number goes up to 62 percent among Millennials, according to the study.

Details on festivals are a good way to start a conversation with clients who have expressed interest in a destination in the past. Reach out via email describing the event and noting the dates. The fascination for the festival, especially for a long-haul destination such as Macao, might be the one thing that turns a maybe into a yes.

Below are three major festivals in Macao that are sure to excite clients interested in traveling to this destination located on the Pearl River Delta.

The 29th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest

For fall travel, this annual festival is taking place Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 and Oct. 1, 2017. More than 10 international teams compete each year to show off the best they have of beautiful fireworks that light up the sky and are accompanied by music. Let clients know that the best vantage points are the Macao Tower Outdoor Plaza waterfront, the Macao Tower Street waterfront, and the square in front the of Kun Iam Statue, near the sound systems.

2^nd International Film Festival & Awards

Following its successful launch last year, the Film Festival will run for a second year on Dec. 8-14, 2017 showcasing Chinese-language, East Asian and international cinema. The program includes film screenings, master classes, press conferences and more.

Macao Light Festival

Encourage clients to celebrate the holiday season by visiting Macao anytime from Dec. 3-31, 2017 to take in this evening event. The festival features video mapping projections, light installations, interactive games and multiple music and light shows at various venues and locations.

Once you provide clients with details on Macao’s major events, let them know that it is easily accessible from the U.S., with connecting flights into its international airport, and via Hong Kong, which is less than 40 miles away and only an hour via high-speed ferry. A Visa is not required for stays under 30 days for U.S. citizens.

To find out more about Macao, go to VisitMacaoChina.com or the dedicated agent site at MacaoExpert.com.