Agoda, MGTO expand 2026 partnership to promote Macao boutique stays

Macao – Agoda has expanded its partnership with the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) for 2026, with a focus on promoting the city’s boutique and independent hotels beyond its traditional tourism hubs.

The renewed collaboration will spotlight properties in Macao’s Outer Harbour District, including the ZAPE and NAPE areas, positioning the waterfront neighbourhood as an alternative base for travellers seeking access to dining, entertainment, and local experiences near the city centre.

Agoda and MGTO first partnered in 2025 to roll out accommodation campaigns across Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the Middle East. The latest extension builds on those efforts, shifting towards broadening market reach and increasing visibility for smaller hotel operators.

The partnership comes as Macao sees a more diversified mix of inbound travel demand, supported by visa facilitation measures, improved connectivity, and targeted tourism initiatives such as Muslim-friendly offerings. Under the 2026 programme, both parties aim to connect boutique properties in the Outer Harbour District with emerging traveller segments from markets including Brazil, Vietnam, and Central Asia.

Agoda data also indicates a widening spread of interest across source markets, with the Middle East recording the highest year-on-year growth in accommodation searches at 247%, followed by India (70%), Japan (62%), Thailand (56%), the Philippines (39%), and Singapore (25%).

As part of the agreement, MGTO will align its destination marketing priorities with Agoda’s distribution network across accommodations, flights, and activities, supported by the platform’s media solutions. Agoda will also work with participating hotel partners to improve exposure of Outer Harbour District properties across a broader set of international markets.

“This broadening mix of interest shows that more travellers are looking at Macao through different trip lenses, not just the traditional patterns,” said Damien Pfrisch, Chief Commercial Officer, Agoda. 

He added, “Our partnership with MGTO is designed to turn that into an actual trip and experience, bringing neighbourhood areas like the Outer Harbour District to the forefront and showcasing boutique stays that reflect the city’s character. It is also a practical example of how tourism authorities and travel platforms can work together to broaden a destination’s story across multiple markets.”