The Visit Portugal Travel Trade Marketplace China is taking place in four stages in three Chinese cities (Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu) and in the Macao Special Administrative Region, between 26 November and 3 December. It aims to bring together professionals from the national tourism sector with Chinese buyers (tour operators, travel agencies or platforms specialising in the sale of tourist destinations) to not only promote Portugal as a destination and showcase what the country has to offer, but also to foster new commercial partnerships through an intensive programme of meetings and networking.
In total, the 60 exclusive bilateral meetings that will take place will bring together 120 Chinese buyers, 20 Portuguese companies and 3 Regional Tourism Promotion Agencies (ARPT), creating a space dedicated to the exchange of information and the development of business opportunities aimed at growing Portugal's presence in the Asian market.
The group of participating companies includes Destination Management Companies (DMCs), 4- and 5-star hotel units or groups with a national presence and previous experience in the Chinese market, or those interested in developing an effective internationalisation strategy. The main objective is to deepen knowledge of local commercial dynamics and strengthen direct contact with the agents responsible for building new tourism programmes.
The Visit Portugal Travel Trade Marketplace China is part of the country's international promotion strategy, based on the importance of trade-focused actions to strengthen awareness of Portugal as a destination and create conditions that enable national companies to position themselves in a highly competitive global environment.
This approach is particularly relevant in the Asian context, where there is high growth potential outside the high season, a still limited level of familiarity with the destination, and cultural and linguistic barriers that can be overcome through direct contact. The fact that the Macau stage coincides with the 50th Congress of APAVT – Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies, held in that Special Administrative Region, reinforces the visibility and impact of this initiative, which aims to consolidate Portugal's position as a leading tourist destination.
