Macao is truly having a moment in the sun right now. Not only is tourism at record levels, but the country is also launching an exciting five-month art festival as part of its 20th-anniversary celebrations.
The Art Macao festival will launch June with a host of public venues and resorts unveiling exhibits along with a fine selection of concerts being put on until October.
“It’s 20 years since Macao was handed back to the People’s Republic of China, so we see Art Macao as a perfect festival to celebrate the special year,” Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia and New Zealand) explained.
“There will be exhibitions and concerts for all tastes in a former Portuguese centre which is already brimming with culture through its east-meets-west, UNESCO World Heritage protected treasures”.
Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia and New Zealand)
Highlights of the festival include Italian Renaissance Drawings from the British Museum (Macao Museum of Art, open now till June 30), Beauty in the New Era, Masterpieces from the Collection of the National Art Museum of China (Macao Museum of Art, open now until July 28) and GRACE KELLY: From Hollywood to Monaco – Artists’ Tributes (Galaxy Macau).
International tourism is strong in Macao right now. In the first three months of 2019, almost 24,000 Australians have visited Macao, an increase of almost 8% on the same period last year.
One of the most notable increases has been in the family market, where in January – during the annual school holidays, more than 2000 Aussie visitors were aged under 15 years, second only to the 46-60-year bracket.
During that month, 11,020 Australian holidayed in Macao, a jump of 11%. The outlook for the rest of 2019 is strong.
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