Chinese mainland provinces are taking their tourism offerings to Macao, tapping the special administrative region’s international networks to promote multi-destination trips and encourage longer stays and more immersive travel experiences.

Hainan recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Macao on tourism cooperation aimed at developing joint travel packages that combine the strengths of both destinations.

It was announced at the 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum held in the Macao SAR from Oct 15 to 17 that the southern Chinese island province will host next year’s forum. It will be the second time for the event to be held outside Macao since its launch in 2012 after Heilongjiang province hosted it last year.

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Bateer, executive vice-governor of Hainan, highlighted the province’s tropical island attractions and proximity to major international markets. He said Hainan is within a four-hour flight of 21 countries and regions that account for about 47 percent of the world’s population and 30 percent of global economic output.

The Hainan Free Trade Port began island-wide independent customs operation late last year. Zero-tariff treatment now covers about 74 percent of tariff categories, while travelers from 88 countries are eligible for visa-free entry, according to Bateer.

Pansy Ho Chiu-king, vice-chairperson and secretary-general of the forum, said Hainan, Hong Kong and Macao are working to create a “golden tourism triangle”.

Such partnerships can create multi-destination itineraries combining urban leisure and experiences in the two SARs with Hainan’s diverse natural attractions, said Ho who is also a vice-chairperson of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.

Hainan has also become the World Travel & Tourism Council’s first destination partner in China, said Maribel Rodríguez, the council’s executive vice-president of destinations.

The partnership is expected to connect the province with the council’s members that include leading companies in hospitality, aviation and technology, she said.

“We want to help and strengthen the international positioning of Hainan, share the global best practices, and identify opportunities for investment and cooperation,” Rodríguez said.

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In the country’s northeast, Heilongjiang is stepping up efforts to make itself a world-class destination for ice-and-snow holidays and summer escapes. He Jing, director of the province’s culture and tourism department, invited Macao investors, hotel brands, tourism operators and creative professionals to take part in projects involving wellness tourism, road trips, campsites and high-end hotels.

Describing Macao as an important window to international markets, she called for closer cooperation in encouraging travel in both directions, expanding air connections and educational tourism.

She said Heilongjiang also hopes to work with Macao to establish direct flights between the city and Harbin, the provincial capital, drawing visitors from Macao, Southeast Asia and Portuguese-speaking markets.

Guizhou province, meanwhile, is positioning itself as a hub for extended-stay travel, leveraging its pleasant climate and diverse cultural traditions to offer visitors an immersive experience of local life.

At a tourism promotion event in Macao on Saturday, Lu Yongzheng — a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Guizhou Provincial Committee and head of the provincial publicity department — said Macao is both an important source of visitors and a gateway to world markets.

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Guizhou aims to become one of China’s leading destinations for long-stay tourism, he said, as travelers increasingly favor leisurely holidays and deeper experiences over brief sightseeing trips.

As GTEF’s vice-chairperson and secretary-general, Ho sees opportunities for cooperation. She said the southwestern province’s growing range of extended-stay tourism offerings complements Hong Kong and Macao’s investment resources, international operating experience and demand for wellness holidays.

Contact the writer at irisli@chinadailyhk.com