Blink for a second, and you may just miss the opening of another excellent hotel, major attraction, world-class restaurant or brand-new department store.
That’s the core message behind the Macao’s latest promotional campaign.
And it isn’t just empty talk.
In 1999, Macao, a former Portuguese colony, had just under 10,000 hotel rooms to its name.
Now, at the beginning of 2016, guests from all over the world have 30,000 plus rooms to choose from, including stays at world-class international chains such as Sheraton, Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriot, and Holiday Inn.
But Macao isn’t done yet. The popular UNESCO World Heritage destination has its eyes firmly set on boosting its room inventory to over 50,000 in just two years time.
Celebrating the Year of the Monkey, Macao Government Tourism Office recently hosted travel professionals and media from Sydney to a classic Chinese banquet at the Sky Phoenix restaurant at Westfield in the city’s CBD.
(Left to right): Benjamin Zaubzer, marketing manager of MGTO; Rohani De Beger, Venetian Macao Hotel and Resort; Natalie Gosselin, product manager Infinity Holidays; Mike Smith, public relations manager MGTO. Representatives from Macao Government Tourism Office
Apart from updating the industry on new hotels, attractions (including a new theme park called Planet J) and events for 2016 and beyond, attendees were also able to get their fortunes told through tarot and traditional Chinese astrology.
According to GM of Macao Government Tourism Office, Helen Wong, Macao is going through some pretty exciting times:
“If you hadn’t been to Macao for a couple of years you would be amazed by the transformation. Yet the old UNESCO World Heritage-listed Macao remains a prime tourist destination.”
Helen Wong, General Manager, Macao Government Tourism Office
Probably the biggest project planned for the foreseeable future, the new Hong Kong-Zhuai-Macao Bridge – slated to open within the next three years – is expected to drive additional visitors to Macao.
In addition, construction has continued on the above-ground multi-million dollar Light Rapid Transit light rail system which will be a boost to the tourist infrastructure in Macao.
