MACAO -- A tourism trade fair of Asia Pacific region opened on Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), attracting more than 1,130 delegates from 66 destinations.

Organized by Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and hosted by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), PATA Travel Mart is Asia Pacific's premier travel trade show.

At the opening ceremony, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR government Alexis Tam Chon Weng said, "there is a fierce global competition in the travel and tourism market nowadays. However, the significant number of participants in PATA Travel Mart indicates the high interest of the global tourism industry in the region."

The two-day event attracts participant exhibitors ranging from official tourism organizations to leading travel companies and small and medium-sized enterprises, including airlines, hotels, and others, from Asia Pacific and beyond.

While the majority of business meetings will take place in over 10,000 pre-scheduled appointments, several functions are also scheduled for delegates to network.