Travel/Tourism
Macau Taps into Influencer Marketing to Attract Thai Tourists
Macau is one of the Asian territories that heavily rely on tourism as an income source. Reports show that around 50% of its GDP was generated by direct travel and tourism in 2019, the highest percentage worldwide. The all-time high visitors’ number was reached in December 2019 when no less than 3,2 million people travelled to Macau. However, the COVID-19 crisis began soon after this spike, and the numbers dropped. As the rest of the world is moving forward, Macau is still battling to recover and grow tourist numbers. As a result, the local government has devised a new approach to help the region reclaim its previous glory: influencer marketing. Will this strategy be successful? Which countries are they aiming for?
Special Focus on Thai Tourists
It’s not the first time a country has used influencers to promote its tourism and attract more visitors. However, what’s interesting about Macau’s recent move is that they specifically target Thailand as the source for more travellers.
To achieve this, Macau‘s Government Tourism Office (MGTO) invited a group of 20 people to tour the country earlier in March. Among the participants were five gourmet and travel opinion leaders (heavily-followed influencers) and personalities from Thailand’s mainstream television channels.
It’s the first such “delegation” to visit Macau since the pandemic, and it highlights the country’s efforts to revamp this vital component of its economy. With a combined following of 31 million, the target is to reach more Thai tourists through the voices of the influencers. Furthermore, there’s been talk about an official travel trade delegation that will also come to Macau for business networking and inspection.
MGTO also added that through the several visits of delegations from different Thai sectors, the authorities want to boost Thailanders’ interest in the country as a tourist destination. The influencers spent 4 days in Macau and the Macau Grand Prix Museum, Maritime Museum, Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, and the MinM Plaza. It’s no wonder that Macau started this influencer marketing strategy by focusing on Thailand. In 2019 there were over 150,000 monthly visitors from this country, and Thailand was the 10th biggest contributor to Macau’s tourism.
Games and Entertainment Tourism Opportunities in Macau
The nation’s integrated resorts were also part of the major tourist attractions that Macau has to offer. Since Thailand is still working on the legislative framework to allow more gambling forms, many citizens would take the opportunity of a Macau trip to enjoy some casino games.
Currently, Thai casino enthusiasts can only play casino games at offshore operators, and the activity doesn’t come without risks. Even so, there are plenty of players that rely on Thaicasinocenter.org for reviews and information about trustworthy casinos, games, or industry news. Therefore, Macau’s wide range of casinos, such as the Venetian, Wynn Palace, and Sands, have the potential to massively contribute to the overall number of tourists visiting the country.
Thanks to these huge integrated resorts, visitors do not have to travel from one place to another for various activities. Shopping centres, hotels, restaurants, kids attractions, and other entertainment venues are available at the location.
Carriers Resume Flights to Macau
Besides the bold move of using influencer marketing to attract visitors from Thailand, Macau’s efforts are sustained by the increasing number of flights and ferry lines that have resumed activity. For example, AirAsia restarted Macau-Bangkok flights in February and links with the Philippines also started operating early in March.
The biggest local airline, Air Macau, is planning to increase flight connections as well as frequency to numerous destinations. Mainly focusing on East and Southeast Asia, the carrier does everything it takes to revamp the flight capacity registered before the pandemic. In addition to air travel, there has also been a resumption of ferry services connecting Macau to neighbouring regions like Hong Kong and Zhuhai. These ferry services have been popular among tourists and will also play a role in getting the country where it was in terms of visitors.
What to Expect in the Future
With the collective efforts of local authorities, airline companies, and various industries in the country, there is a promising opportunity to revive Macau’s tourism success. However, perfect coordination is crucial to regain visitors’ trust after years of pandemic-related struggles. Despite these challenges, the use of influencers to increase Macau’s appeal among Thai tourists is a strategic move that demonstrates openness to modern methods that can make a difference in achieving this ambitious goal.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) baggage tracking technology across domestic and international airport terminals to tackle the growing problem of delayed, misrouted and missing luggage.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection for NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu, disclosed this at a stakeholder engagement forum in Lagos on Tuesday.
Mr Achimugu said the RFID-enabled system would replace the traditional barcode-based baggage tracking framework and provide airlines and passengers with real-time visibility of checked luggage from check-in to final collection.
According to him, the technology would improve baggage traceability, reduce mishandling and strengthen accountability across the baggage-handling chain.
Unlike conventional barcode systems, RFID technology allows baggage to be automatically scanned at multiple points without requiring direct line of sight, enabling real-time tracking of luggage throughout its journey.
Mr Achimugu said issues involving short-landed, missing, lost or damaged baggage had remained among the major complaints from air travellers, alongside flight delays.
He said the introduction of RFID technology was therefore aimed at improving baggage-handling standards and restoring passenger confidence in the aviation sector.
The NCAA said the initiative also aligns with IATA Resolution 753, which requires airlines to track baggage at key points during the passenger journey.
The authority expects the technology to provide more accurate information on the location of luggage, facilitate quicker resolution of baggage-related complaints and improve the overall passenger experience.
The aviation agency said the initiative would also strengthen accountability among airlines and other stakeholders involved in baggage handling at Nigerian airports.
From free date changes to industry-first comprehensive travel insurance, Emirates continues to give customers greater flexibility and more choice, as well as the ability to tailor their travel plans for more peace of mind, from booking to the moment they arrive at their destination.
Here are the latest measures at a glance:
1. Unlimited free date changes to Dubai
From 10 August 2026, customers travelling to Dubai can change their travel dates as many times as they need, free of charge, across every type of fare. Unlimited, free of charge changes run across Saver all the way through to Flex fares in Economy, and for Special, Saver and Flex fares in Business Class.*
Economy Flex Plus, Premium Economy, Business Flex Plus and First Class fares continue to remain fully flexible.
2. Refunds, at a fraction of the cost
Emirates has also substantially reduced refund fees on flights to Dubai to US$50 on Saver fares and US$25 on Flex fares in Economy. In Business Class, refund fees will be US$50 on Special and Saver fares and US$25 on Flex fares.** Together with unlimited free date changes to Dubai, this latest measure means customers can adjust or step away from a booking with minimal penalties, whatever their circumstances.
3. A free date change anywhere across the network
Customers travelling anywhere on the Emirates network receive one free date change on tickets booked from 2 April 2026, including journeys connecting through Dubai. Customers can also hold a fare for 24 hours at no charge while they finalise their plans.*
4. Comprehensive Travel Cover
Emirates’ Comprehensive Travel Cover is an industry-first insurance product covering a range of scenarios, including added conflict cover with reimbursement of medical expenses up to US$25,000 and a free trip extension of up to 30 days. The cover is not restricted by government travel advice. Customers are also covered for trip cancellation, baggage delay and loss, in addition to unlimited worldwide medical expenses and emergency evacuation.
Available at an accessible premium and across 27 countries, the cover can be purchased at the time of booking on emirates.com or added to an existing booking through Manage Booking.
Where flights are disrupted, Emirates will support impacted customers with accommodation directly. Where onward connections on other airlines are affected, or Emirates services are unavailable, customers are rebooked to their destination at no additional cost, including where cancellations are caused by airspace disruptions.
5. More flexibility and savings for Emirates Skywards members
Emirates Skywards members can get more from their journeys, with greater flexibility, more opportunities to progress their tier and additional savings when using their Miles.
Until 31 August 2026, members can benefit from:
- 20% fewer Tier Miles required to reach Silver, Gold and Platinum status.
- 20% bonus Tier Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights.
- More savings with Cash+Miles, with a special rate of 2,000 Miles = USD 30, instead of the usual USD 15, when using Miles towards Emirates or flydubai flights, excess baggage, lounge access and seat selection.
* An applicable fare difference may apply.
** No show fees remain unchanged.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has appealed to aviation unions to suspend their ongoing industrial action and exercise restraint as efforts continue to resolve the dispute.
In a statement, the NCAA said it was aware of the impact of the industrial action on passengers and other stakeholders in the aviation sector.
The authority urged the unions to “sheathe their swords” pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, who it said had been actively working towards resolving the issues.
According to the NCAA, the matter was expected to be addressed at a meeting convened by the minister last week, but the meeting could not take place after airline operators failed to honour the invitation.
The NCAA assured passengers that flight safety remains uncompromised, stressing that it continues to carry out its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.
The authority called on all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation, expressing confidence that the dispute would be resolved shortly and normal flight operations restored as soon as practicable.
“We appeal to all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation. We are confident that the matter will be resolved shortly and normal flight operations will resume as soon as practicable,” the statement signed by the NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Ona Najomo, said.
The NCAA also apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the industrial action and thanked them for their patience and understanding.
