MACAO, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The seventh Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo kicked off here on Friday, with a total of 452 tourism-related entities and enterprises from 53 countries and regions participating in the expo.

Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said at the opening ceremony that as it has became Macao's annual international travel fair brand, the expo is expected to enhance global tourism cooperation, and support Macao's object of building it as a world centre of tourism and leisure.

The three-day event presents seven key highlights, including the pavilion in celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the role of Macao as an exchange platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as exploring gastronomy and sustainable development.

The Expo also offers interactive experience combining both cultural, creative and tourism elements.

The exhibition area was also doubled from last year to 22,000 square meters, accommodating a record of 835 standard booths, making the largest scale of the event.