Macao promotes tourism in HOEFEX 2009

MACAO, May 6 (Xinhua) -- A business delegation, headed by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government's tourism officials, attended an international service trade exhibition in Hong Kong Wednesday, in a bid to promote Macao's tourism.

For the purpose of promoting business tourism, MGTO established a booth in the 13th Asian International Exhibition of Food and Drink, Hotel, Restaurant and Food services Equipment, Supplies and Services (HOFEX 2009).

There were 38 members of Macao's "Industry Partners Program" displaying their promotional materials at this marketing platform, according to a press release from the MGTO.

MGTO also invited representatives of three major hospitality associations, namely, Macao Hotel Association, the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao and Macao Chef Culinary Association to attend the opening ceremony of the HOFEX 2009 on Wednesday.

The four-day HOFEX 2009 is a biennial trade show that attracted more than 1,800 leading exhibitors including 41 national groups this year.

It is anticipated that more than 35,000 qualified buyers and industry players from around the world attend the show.

Germany to invest in tourism in Mozambique

MAPUTO, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Germany has expressed interest to invest in the Mozambican tourism sector, and some companies from that country are said to be prepared to come to Mozambique in the near future, AIM reported on Tuesday.

This issue was discussed during an audience that Mozambican President Armando Guebuza gave on Monday to the deputy speaker of the German parliament, Susanne Kastner, who is visiting Mozambique.

Speaking to reporters after the audience, Kastner stressed the need for the countries to strengthen their cooperation relations, which is one of the objectives of her visit.

The Mozambican government has defined tourism as one of the most important sectors to earn revenue, and officials in this sector have been working hard to promote tourism in the country.

Mozambique took part in an annual international event in Berlin recently, which gathered tourism operators from countries across the world.

These events are organized to publicize tourist destinations in the participating countries and to create cooperation ties with public and private bodies through contacts that will benefit tourism at global level.

Swine flu could have side-impact on New Zealand tourism: PM

WELLINGTON, April 29 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key warned on Wednesday that the swine flu confirmations might have side-impact on New Zealand tourism.

He made his comment to reporters on Wednesday morning following the laboratory confirmation Tuesday night of three cases of swine flu and the Ministry of Health revealing that 179 people in New Zealand were in isolation.

Key, who also serves as tourism minister, said India had issued a travel warning and some Japanese tourists had canceled trips to New Zealand.

"It is important to put it in perspective," he said. "It is highly likely that most countries will have some outbreak of swine flu."

New Zealand was handling it well and had high stocks of Tamiflu.

"But obviously it is of concern to us that there could be a side-impact on tourism here in New Zealand," he said.

Key said he understood that India had issued a travel warning on a large number of countries, including the United States, Canada and Britain.

New Zealand is the sixth country in the world to have confirmed cases of the virus.

On Wednesday morning, health officials announced 14 cases of influenza A had been confirmed in the Auckland region, including the three people who had the new swine flu strain of influenza A.

Twelve of the influenza A cases are from a 25-person Rangitoto College group which returned from Mexico on Saturday.