"Macao Promotion Week" Opened in Singapore to Attract TouristsOfficials from the Macao Special Administration Region (SAR) Tuesday opened the "Macao Promotion Week" in Singapore to boost Macao's tourism.Addressing the opening ceremony, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR Choi Sai On said that tourism provides one of the greatest sources of income and is the backbone of Macao's economy, accounting for 38 percent of its GDP. There is every indication that tourism will play an increasingly important role in Macao's development in the new century, Choi underlined. Singapore Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ow Chin Hock and acting Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Guan Mu were also present at the opening ceremony. Before the opening ceremony, Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation of tourism market promotion in Macao. Under the document, MGTO and SIA will work closely on promoting the image, awareness and familiarity of Macau and both sides will undertake joint activities to boost visitor arrivals to Macau from Singapore and Indonesia and to further extend to other selected markets. Within the effective period of the understanding, from August 29, 2000 to August 28, 2001, SIA will provide assistance in market promotion and encourage travel agents to put together holiday packages to Macau and Southern China. Also, MGTO will sponsor joint advertising and promotions in overseas markets and provide ground arrangements for agreed joint activities. |
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