Macao Festive Season 2020

Macao is celebrating the festive season with the largest display of lighting and three-dimensional mapping to decorate the city's streets, squares and its fine examples of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

To further highlight the Asian city's love of festivals, a giant fireworks display will light up the skies on Sunday, December 22 to commemorate the centre's 20th anniversary as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China.

This significant fireworks display has been based on the theme of "Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Return of Macao to the Motherland," and will be divided into four chapters, launched with the Sai Van Bridge as the central axis and spanning from Macao to neighbouring Zhuhai on mainland China.

Among the highlights will be 600 drones which will form the pictures of a Macao lotus, the iconic Ruins of St Paul's, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, and a "handshake" between Macao and Zhuhai.

"The evening event will be something very special for the people of Macao," said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia and New Zealand), "As an indication of the scale and significance of the celebrations, 160,000 shots of fireworks will light up the sky over the 30 minutes," she said.

As locals and visiting holidaymakers go in search of bargains on their annual Christmas shopping spree, much of the historic east-meets-west city has been brought to life at night through a kaleidoscope of colours for the largest Macao Light Festival to be held in event's five years' history.

This month-long festival – until December 31 – has been expanded to include four specially designed luminous walking routes. The overall program includes mind boggling projection mapping, light installations, interactive games and other forms of activities. Interest will centre on Nam Van Lake and its 30-metre Floating Wonder projection, a 12-metre high inflatable Mak Mak, Macao's tourism mascot, and a projected Mak Mak Parade.

"The festival's aim is to draw visitors to different districts of the city for an appreciation of Macao by night," said Helen. "Everyone has a chance to learn about the local culture and history from innovative angles shaped by the light artistry," she said. Last Sunday (December 8), Macao hosted its annual multi-cultural street fair – the Macao International Parade – featuring entertainment and colourfully decorated floats of all shapes and sizes.

Organised by the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau and originally named "the 'Parade through Macao, Latin City", this free street event was created to provide local arts groups a performance platform alongside invited international performing groups. It was a time for them to express their creativity skills while showcasing a diverse culture.

While this month's 9th Macao Shopping Festival carries the theme "Way to go Shopping", be prepared to go in many directions in search of a bargain on Christmas goodies and the latest designer label items. There are surprises galore. Head across to Macao's tiny Taipa Village and you will find a few surprises at a Christmas pop up store "My Merry X'mas! Taipa Village Christmas Fair." The store features more than 100 locally sourced Christmas products and promotes local craftsmanship.

DETAILS: Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia), phone +61 2 9264 1488 or check out www.visitmacao.com.au

Macao: UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

Macao’s highly acclaimed standing as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy goes far beyond the dinner table.



Home to one of the world’s earliest forms of fusion cuisine, this popular Asian centre has its sights firmly set on sustainability and avoiding food wastage, important ingredients to not only promoting its stance on a worldwide problem but also boosting its tourism appeal.

Art Macao - five month festival kicks off in June

MACAO is set to stage its largest array of art exhibitions as part of its year-long 20th-anniversary celebrations as a Special Administrative Region of China (SAR).

The five-month festival - Art Macao – will officially begin in June with a host of public venues and integrated resorts unveiling internationally recognised exhibits.

Macau Festival lineup for 2019

MACAO is gearing up for a busy yet fruitful 2019 with the calendar filled with a mix of festivals and events to commemorate the Asian centre’s 20th anniversary as a special administrative region (SAR) OF THE People’s Republic of China.

Much of the limelight will be on Macao’s billing as a member of the elite global list of UNESCO Creative Cities for Gastronomy.

After launching the Chinese New Year of the Pig celebrations (February 5-10) with a vibrant parade and equally spectacular display of fireworks, the former Portuguese territory and its 650,000 residents are preparing for a year-long program with plenty of signature and traditional festivals, and culinary events to whet the appetite.

Heading the tourism campaigns through 2019 is Macao’s lovable mascot, Mak Mak, the creation of young local Tou Chon Wai. Mak Mak is a black-faced spoonbill native to Macao, her headwear inspired by the historic Guia Lighthouse, once the highest point of the former Portuguese territory.

Among a host of events for 2019 are:

· A-Ma Festival, where homage is paid to Macao's most popular deity, the Goddess of Seafarers (April 27);

· 30th Macao Arts Festival, various locations (May 4 – June 2);

· Procession of Our Lady of Fatima (May 13);

· Macao International Dragon Boat Races and Festival (June 1,2 and 7);

· 19th Macao Lotus Flower Festival (June 3-16);

· 2019 Wushu Masters Challenge, martial arts contest (August 1-4);

· Mid-Autumn Festival (September 13);

· The 30th Macao Fireworks Display Contest, with additional day bringing together a record 12 countries (between September 7 and October 5);

· 33rd Macao International Music Festival, various locations (October 4 – November 3).


Following on last year’s success, Macao will once again host the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants promotion (March 25-26) complete with dining experiences, lectures, a chefs’ feast and a ritzy gala awards ceremony.

Drawing on the theme of ‘Vital Ingredients’, the opening event at the Wynn Palace Cotai will see leading chefs from the region discuss ideas around sustainability, sourcing, over-consumption and related issues facing cooks, restaurateurs and diners.

From April 26-28, Macao will host its 7th Macao International Travel Industry Expo (MITE) at The Venetian Macao, this year’s exhibition seeing a further increase in the number of booths.

In late September, Macao will celebrate World Tourism Day with an array of colourful activities while, in October, it will host the Global Tourism Economy Forum.

Food for thought later in the year is the 19th Macau Food Festival, the overwhelming aroma of dishes enough to wake the taste buds as guests wandering between the lakeside street stalls from November 8-24.

Traditionally, December is a busy month and 2019 will be no exception when the city’s stages the 9th Macau Shopping Festival, the ever-appealing Macao Light Festival, the giant Macao International Parade and the 4th International Film Festival and Awards – Macao (IFFAM), complete with its red-carpet ceremonies and galaxies of star celebrities.

To wind up the eventful year, sports fans will be treated to action aplenty at the 66th Macau Grand Prix and the Macao International Marathon while lovers of fireworks will prepare for a colourful evening on December 20 to commemorate the 20th year since the establishment of the Macao Administrative Region.

Not forgetting the traditional New Year fireworks on December 31.

“There’s little doubt, Macao knows how to party,” said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia and New Zealand). “The number of festivals and events on the calendar is overwhelming.

“Being recognised by UNESCO for its gastronomy is one of the countless highlights in a city which has always been renowned for having one of the world’s earliest forms of fusion food,” she said.

“The story of Macanese cuisine is just as enticing as the taste of the food itself.”

Details: Macao Government Tourism Office, go to www.visitmacao.com.au (Australia) or www.visitmacao.co.nz

Macao celebrates UNESCO Creative Cities Gastronomy recognition.

MACAO is set to celebrate 2018 with a year-long promotion that feasts on its recent UNESCO Creative Cities – Gastronomy recognition.

Now a member of an elite list of 26 global cities designated for their cuisine, the former Portuguese enclave will celebrate by promoting 2018 Macao Year of Gastronomy.

Chinese New Year

Among the major food-related events for the year is Macao’s hosting of the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants promotion from March 25-27, complete with dining experiences, lectures, a chefs’ feast and a gala awards ceremony.

Throughout the Chinese Year of the Dog, Macao will be highlighted by a congested calendar of colourful festivals and events, along with the opening of a contemporary international hotel – the 1390-room MGM Cotai.

“Being recognised by UNESCO for its gastronomy is an exciting development for Macao which has always been renowned for having one of the world’s earliest forms of fusion food,” said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia and New Zealand).

“Over four centuries, Macao has seen the evolution of what is known as Macanese cuisine, where families have prepared home-cooked dishes, recipes with elements of Portugal, Africa, India, Malaysia and China creating a real melting pot of tastes,” she said.

“During that time, Portuguese traders brought to China capsicum, curry, shrimp paste, pickled cod fish and other spices. These ingredients were combined with the evocative flavours and aromas from south-east Asia such as cinnamon, coconut milk, tamarind, garlic and red chilies’ along with the vegetables and fruit grown in the region.

“The story of Macanese cuisine is just as enticing as the taste of the food itself.”

Red Market

Among the popular dishes on the Macao menu are African Chicken, Minchi, the salt cod fritters and the sawdust pudding Serradura along with the sought-after Portuguese-style egg tarts.

Macao will kick off 2018 with its annual Chinese New Year celebrations, including two vibrant family street parades have been organised for the evenings of Sunday, February 18 and Saturday, February 24.

From April 27-29, the compact Asian centre of more than 600,000 will host its 6th Macao International Travel Industry Expo (MITE) at The Venetian Macao, this year’s exhibition increasing to 500 booths.

Over five Saturday evenings from September 1 until October 1, the skies over the Macau Tower will explode into a kaleidoscope of colours as countries from around the world compete in the 29th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest.

African Chicken

For the first time in its history, the annual contest was cancelled in 2017 after Macao was devastated by the fury of Typhoon Hato which struck in the days leading up to the event.

On September 27, Macao will celebrate World Tourism Day with an array of colourful activities while, in October, it will host the Global Tourism Economy Forum.

Giant steins will be raised throughout the same month as the MGM Macau celebrates its annual Oktoberfest with all the food and singing expected at such a German-style gathering.

More food for thought in November will be the 18th Macau Food Festival, the overwhelming aroma of dishes enough to wake the taste buds as guests wander between street stalls.

December will be another busy month with the hosting 8th Macau Shopping Festival, the ever-appealing Macao Light Festival and the 3rd International Film Festival and Awards – Macao (IFFAM), completed with its red-carpet ceremonies.

To wind up 2018, sports fans can look forward to the Macao International Kart Grand Prix while lovers for fireworks can prepare for a colourful evening on December 20 to commemorate the 19th year since the establishment of the Macao Administrative Region along with the traditional New Year fireworks on December 31.

Despite last year’s impact of Typhoon Hato, Macao boasted a record-breaking 2017, attracting more than 32,600 international visitors – and increase of 5.4 per cent on the previous record-breaking year.

An increase in the number of integrated resorts and hotels coupled with a growth in attractions and activities have played key roles in the rise in popularity.

The total number of hotel rooms in Macao increased to almost 38,000.

Such expansion saw an increase of almost 10 per cent in the number of visitors taking overnight stays, ensuring the average occupancy rate would be between 88 and 90 per cent.

Details: Macao Government Tourism Office, go to www.visitmacao.com.au (Australia) or www.visitmacao.co.nz

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Giant luminous rabbits to 'invade Macau for 2017 Macao Light Festival

The invasion of Macao by 10 monumental “rabbits” is just the beginning of an autumn-winter season which will revolve around two month-long evening festivals among its feast of annual events.

Pride of place on the banks of Nam Van Lake stand 10 luminous installations in the form of rabbits, which throughout October will light up the night’s sky in celebrating the 2nd Macao Lantern Festival.

Measuring between five and eight metres tall, each colourful character was designed by renowned architect and artist Carlos Marreiros.

Supported by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the event is a major drawcard during the Asian centre’s annual Mid-Autumn Festival until the end of October.

Apart from the visual display at the Waterfront Promenade of Once Central and Anim’Arte Nam Van, there are lantern festival workshops, allowing budding artists to create lanterns using clay and glassed bottles.

From December 3-31, another array of lights will be switched on throughout Macao as the city celebrates winter with a fascinating light festival.

Such has been the success of previous year’s festivals the 2017 Macao Light Festival promises to be more spectacular with events arranged to attract locals and international visitors beyond the bright colours.

Organised by the MGTO, this year’s festival will have a strong emphasis on story-telling with an outdoor concert scheduled along with an outdoor movie showing and an exclusive lighting dinner.

The Macao Light Festival will be highlighted by an opening show on December 3.

As many as eight of the former Portuguese enclave’s historic sites will be used as focal points throughout the month, heightened each night by bright lighting and three-dimensional mapping.

Those prime locations will be:

• Camões Garden
• St. Anthony's Church
• Taipa Houses
• St. Lazarus Church
• Old Court Building
• Anim’Arte NAM VAN
• Senado Square
• Ruins of St. Paul's

Details: Macao Government Tourism Office www.visitmacao.com.au

Macao cleans up after devastating Typhoon Hato

The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is making unreserved efforts to coordinate and handle various tasks in the wake of Typhoon Hato, which took the lives of six, injured more than 150 and left the city with widespread damage.

pic: via SBS

With wind gusts of up to 240km/h compounded by severe tidal conditions, the former Portuguese enclave felt the full fury of the typhoon, the most severe storm to hit the city in more than five decades.

The high tide created massive flooding in low-lying areas, causing a city-wide blackout, water supply stoppages and telecommunication breakdowns.

The disaster relief authorities reported 290 incidents caused by the typhoon, such as falling trees, antenna cables and advertising boards.

It was the first time since 1999 that Macau had hoisted the No. 10 signal, the highest typhoon warning signal, officials said.

MGTO operates its tourist information counters at the Ritz Building, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, Border Gate, Macau International Airport and Taipa Ferry Terminal as usual to attend to visitors.

Due to various degrees of damage at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and Taipa Ferry Terminal, tour groups to Macao were affected. The MGTO is looking into their situations.

The MGTO has also approached hotel properties for further information on their situations, including their status of water and power supply as well as room reservation.

If visitors have already made their room reservation or are planning to make a reservation in Macao, they are advised to enquire with the respective hotels of their latest situations.

The MGTO has also assigned inspectors to patrol different ports of entry in Macao for prompt awareness of the latest situations.

The tourism body is currently examining and accessing the situations and conditions concerning its upcoming events. If any new arrangement arises, a public notice will be made accordingly.

MGTO advises residents and visitors to pay attention to the situations concerned.

For enquiries, please contact the 24-hour tourism hotline service at 0011 853 28333000.

Macao and Xiamen Airlines launch “One Fare – Two Cities”

click to enlarge flyer

Macao has linked with Xiamen Airlines to launch a new “One Fare – Two Cities” product aimed at further boosting numbers of Australians travelling to the former Portuguese enclave.


With return air fares to Macao beginning from as little as $768 per person from Sydney or Melbourne, the campaign offers an alternative route to the traditional Hong Kong flight path with travellers having the chance to visit and explore the beautiful Chinese coastal city of Xiamen en route to Macao.

It’s the first time the Chinese airline has teamed with the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia) to offer a dedicated fare, the offer including a complimentary night’s stay in Xiamen (6-24hrs) along with free coach tour (4 -24hrs) of a city popular for its beaches and colonial past.

In addition, passengers would not require a China visa if spending up to 72 hours in Xiamen.

Macao is visa free for Australian passport holders staying no more than 30 days.

Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Australia, 
welcomed the new multi-destination route and the dedicated fare and accompanying bonuses.

“This is a very exciting venture between airline and destination which should build on our numbers of Australian holidaymakers to Macao,” she said. “Merge the low air fare with some attractive accommodation offers and we have the makings of an affordable Macao experience.”

In 2016, more than 93,000 Australian passport holders visited Macao, an increase on the previous year’s figure. A majority arrived from Hong Kong via the high-speed ferry transfer.

Xiamen Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

The new Xiamen Airlines product will allow Australians to fly from Sydney and Melbourne to Xiamen for a night’s stopover before boarding the connecting short-haul flight to Macao International Airport.

Mr Yang Hua Chen, general manager of Xiamen Airlines (Australia), also welcomed the new link with Xiamen and Macao and said it was yet another example of Mainland China’s “One Belt, One Road” economic and strategic initiative. In further emphasising the importance of the Australian route to Xiamen Airlines, Mr Chen said his airline was the only Chinese-based carrier to service Australia with the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (pic: NewsCorp)

Both MGTO and Xiamen Airlines will host a series of travel industry workshops in Sydney over the next two months to coincide with giant shopping centre exhibitions for consumers. Those expos will be highlighted by the exclusive 360-degree (virtual reality) showings of Macao and the airline, beginning with a four-day event at Parramatta Westfield on July 6-9, 2017.

Further shopping centre events will be staged at Castle Towers, Castle Hill from July 20-23, Chatswood Chase from August 3-6 and Eastgardens Westfield from August 17-20. Travel industry workshops will also take place in Melbourne.

The Xiamen Airlines $768 fare to Macao applies to tickets booked before October 30, 2017.

Details: Macao Government Tourism Office, www.visitmacao.com.au or phone (02) 9264 1488.

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Macau ups Michelin Star dining

MACAO’S reputation for serving quality cuisine has jumped a few more notches with news that 19 restaurants earned star ratings in the recently released 2017 edition of the “Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau”.

While the Grand Lisboa’s two premier restaurants – Robuschon au Dome and The Eight – maintained their three-star billings, Chinese eatery Feng Wei Ju and Japanese restaurant Mizumi jumped from one to two stars.

Feng Wei Ju specialises in Chuan-Xiang cuisine, a spice-heavy cuisine from the regions of Sichuan and Hunan and one of the eight major cuisines of China.

Mizumi is helmed by three renowned Japanese chefs and flies in fresh produce from Japan daily.

Their elevation meant that Macao now boasted five restaurants with the two stars, the pair joining the established Golden Flower, Jade Dragon and The Tasting Room.

Food for thought is that the one-star rating list grew to 12 with three Cantonese restaurants - Lai Heen, Ying and Pearl Dragon – earning the star for the first time.

They joined restaurants King, 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo, Shinji, Terrazza, The Golden Peacock, The Kitchen, Tim’s Kitchen, Zi Yat Heen, and Cantonese fine dining eatery Wing Lei, located inside the Wynn Macau.

In addition, Macao boasted 12 Bib Gourmand Michelin rated restaurants, recognised for their high quality affordable street food offerings.

Among those listed was Lord Stow’s Bakery, renowned for its creation of Portuguese-style egg tarts. Fong Kei Pastelaria, which has sold pastries for more than 120 years, and Mok Yee Kei, where durian ice cream is said to have originated, also made the grade.

“With the opening of new international hotels such as The Wynn Palace, Studio City and The Parisian we can see a few more restaurants aiming for star ratings,” said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia and New Zealand).

“Early next year, we will also see the highly-anticipated Louis XIII open, along with the MGM Cotai, thus offering more restaurant options worth considering,” she said.

Details: Macao Government Tourism Office, phone (02) 9264 1488 or www.visitmacao.com.au

Macau expands holiday appeal into 2016 and beyond

Contemporary change has been swift in Macao.

And it will continue that way into 2017 – and beyond.

Blink for one second, and you're almost certain to miss the opening of another international standard attraction, hotel, restaurant or store.

In 1999, the year Macao was handed back to mainland China, the former Portuguese enclave boasted 9,469 hotel rooms.

At the end of 2015, there were a staggering 32,608 rooms available, thanks in recent years to the opening of such large establishments as the world's largest Sheraton Grand hotel, Conrad Macao, the Holiday Inn, St Regis, Ritz-Carlton, J W Marriott, Studio City, Harbourview and Broadway, to name a few.

In two years' time, this figure is expected to eclipse 50,000.

The good news is that, despite the move to modernisation, the changes have been made without detracting from the Asian centre's treasured five centuries of mixed colonial-oriental heritage.

For a former Portuguese enclave that thrives on restoring and showcasing its colourful UNESCO World Heritage-listed treasures and the traditional festivals and events that accompany them, Macao has a great deal more to offer visitors, whether they call on business or a holiday.

The number of annual festive events has grown, so too the events themselves. On one day in December 2015, Macao hosted a marathon and mini marathon in the morning followed by a colourful Latin Parade and the launch of a spectacular Light Festival similar to Sydney's popular Vivid.

Of the recent changes to Macao's makeup, many have centred on the Cotai area of reclaimed land linking the islands of Taipa and Coloane, where new ritzy themed precincts have evolved, complete with luxury international hotels, a diverse range of restaurants, cafes and designer label shops.

Even the entertainment programs offer more variety with much more to come for families as much as couples and groups.

Opening at Sands Cotai in June this year will be a new theme park – Planet J – the World's first player-centric "Live Action Role Play" theme park where players are immersed in the action.

"As the first permanent theme park in the precinct, Planet J redefines theme parks in the 21st Century," said Helen Wong, general manager of Macao Government Tourism Office Australia and NZ.

"Macao continues to evolve in 2016, and will do so for years to come," she said. "The changes to the landscape have been dramatic in recent months, in particular on the Cotai Strip where the Sands, Galaxy and City of Dreams dominate," said Ms Wong.

"Over the next 12 months and beyond we will see further new additions such as Planet J ensuring that visitors are offered more attractions, activities and accommodation options from which to choose when deciding on a holiday or business-related stay in this special corner of Asia.

"We are going through exciting times, so swift that 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 attraction."

Moves are underway in tiny historic Taipa village to create a festive atmosphere along the narrow lanes and quaint squares with the opening of new restaurants and art galleries along with additional street performances near the lovingly maintained colonial-style Taipa Houses.

In recent months, Macao's nearby Cotai area has seen the Hollywood-style red carpet opening of the Art Deco Studio City, along with the expansion of the nearby Galaxy precinct and the opening of the lavish St Regis Macau hotel within the neighbouring Sands precinct.

In the latter half of 2016, Macao will see another exciting hotel addition, the Parisian, with the Eiffel Tower already in place for the yet-to-be-confirmed opening date.

In further expanding the Macao Cotai landscape, 2016 will see the opening of the MGM Cotai and the Wynn Palace which will house the highly acclaimed and stunning floral sculpture of a carousel, designed by Preston Bailey and on show in Las Vegas.

In 2017, the City of Dreams' new hotel tower will open along with the highly-anticipated SJM's Lisboa Palace, a scaled model of project on show within glass in the foyer of the majestic Grand Lisboa on Macao's peninsula.

Meanwhile, construction has continued on the above-ground multi-million dollar Light Rapid Transit light rail system which will ultimately link each of these major holiday resorts.

On the Macao peninsula, home to a majority of the colonial churches and squares and Chinese temples under the centre's UNESCO World Heritage protection, two new international hotels – the Prague-inspired Harbourview Hotel and the maritime themed Crowne Plaza – have opened their doors within the past 12 months.

Perhaps the largest project planned for opening within the next three years is the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge which will span 35.6kms and drive additional visitors to Macao.

Details: Macao Government Tourism Office, phone (02) 9264 1488, www.visitmacao.com.au www.macaotourism.gov.mo

Festival time in Macau

COLOURFUL PARADE CELEBRATES MACAO'S LATIN LINKS

IN celebrating its 10th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage site, historic Macao will soon transform many of its streets into rivers of colour for the popular "Parade through Macao, Latin City" festivities.

To be held on Sunday, December 6, this annual event will also coincide with the 16th anniversary of Macao's handover to China with a focus on "Peace, Love and Cultural Integration".

It will follow in the footsteps of the annual and internationally supported Macao Marathon which will take place earlier on the same day.

The giant parade, which will weave from the steps of the Ruins of St Paul's to Tap Seac Square of this former Portuguese enclave, is one of the major events in the celebration of Macao's handover to China in 1999.

Attracting entries from abroad as well as in Macao, the street procession has become one of the city's trademark events since its inauguration a mere four years ago in 2011.

The 2015 parade will be dedicated to a treasure hunt storyline, participants following clues provided on a map. New colourful decorations and large mystical characters will be featured throughout the route.

The parade's opening ceremony, to take place at 4pm at Largo da Companhia de Jesus, and will be highlighted by performances from talented groups from Latin-speaking countries as well as other countries.

The route will be the same as that used in 2014, culminating with a carnival atmosphere at Tap Seac Square around 5.30pm to celebrate the handover. This year, two ascending seating areas will be set up at the square for the public to better view the performances.

During the parade - at Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro and Rua de Sanches de Miranda - face painting workshops will be set up for additional family fun.

Organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau with the assistance of such bodies as the Macao Government Tourist Office, the parade will further feature a series of related activities, including a photography contest and social media games with prizes.

Details: Macao Government Tourist Office, phone (02) 9264 1488 or www.macautourism.gov.mo

Macau celebrates UNESCO 10th anniversary

MACAU'S HERITAGE STATUS REACHES MILESTONE

Macau's status as a vital UNESCO World Heritage listed site will have 10 good reasons to be celebrated in 2015.

On July 15, the former Portuguese enclave will reach a new milestone – the 10th anniversary on receiving the international recognition.

"The historic centre of Macau was rewardingly inscribed on the World Heritage list on July 15, 2005, making it the 31st designated site in China," said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macau Government Tourist Office in Australia and New Zealand.

"It was a significant day for Macau and its people and showcased how important a gateway the centre was for the west to enter China over four centuries ago," she said.

"We are very proud of how the historic hub has been lovingly maintained in reaching this milestone, and we expect this important listing to continue for many generations to come."

The Historic Centre of Macau is said to be a "living representation" of the city's establishment, encompassing a series of architectural legacies with fascinating historic streetscapes and popular piazzas.

Among the squares and the 20 or more monuments are the much photographed Ruins of St Paul's, the symbolic A-Ma Temple, St Dominic's Church, the main Fortress, a section  of the 16the Century city wall and, of course, Senado Square with its wave-patterned stone mosaic paving.

The tranquil green haven of Casa Garden, the 17th Century Guia Fortress and the Protestant Cemetery with its small 1821-built chapel and the graves of famous former British residents such as artist George Chinnery are also included.

All historic sites and squares can be viewed or visited on one of eight suggested self-guided walks from the Macau Government Tourist Office's "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities"  program available in free brochure form and online at the official MGTO website where an app can be downloaded to your Smartphone.

"Macau is living testimony of how western and eastern cultures came together," said Helen, "over a unique period of history."

Details: Macau Government Tourist Office (Australia and New Zealand), phone (02) 9264 1488 or check out www.macautourism.gov.mo

Macau, recognised as having the most Five-Star Properties in the World

MACAU has been officially recognised for having the largest number of five-star properties of any destination in the world.

Conrad Macao
Copyright: Conrad Macao

Reputable Forbes Travel Guide, the long established creator of five-star ratings, has added four Macau restaurants and a major international hotel – Conrad Macao – to its 2015 list ensuring the former Portuguese enclave takes top billing.

For the first time in the guide's 57 years of grading, another plush hotel, Wynn Macau, earned a “quintuple five-star” rating.

“These are very exciting results for Macau,” said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macau Government Tourist Office Australia and New Zealand, “These prestigious ratings showcase to the world the first class quality of Macau's hotels, restaurants and luxury day spas.

“The fact the team of professional inspectors from Forbes Travel Guide rated the properties so highly speaks volumes for Macau as a genuine global centre.”

This latest news comes hot on the heels of travel publication Lonely Planet's listing of Macau as a Top 10 Region to visit in 2015.

The four restaurants (hotel in brackets) to gain a recent five-star rating were Belon (Banyan Tree), IlTeatro (Wynn Macau), Tenmasa (Altira Macau) and Vida Rica (Mandarin Oriental).

They joined Auroa (Altira Macau), Golden Flower at Encore Macau, Jade Dragon (Crown Towers), The Tasting Room (Crown Towers) and Wing Lei (Wynn Macau), boosting the number to nine.

The addition of Conrad Macao as five-star hotel increases the Macau hotel number to eight, while Macau boasts an impressive six five-star rated day spas.

Forbes Travel Guide 2015 list: http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/the-2015-forbes-travel-guide-star-award-winners

Details: Macau Government Tourist Office, phone (02) 9264 1488,www.macautourism.gov.mo

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Lonely Planet Ranks Macau Among Top 10 Regions for 2015

MACAU has been listed by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 regions in the world to explore in 2015.

The giant guide book publisher ranked the former Portuguese enclave with such fascinating destinations as Italy's Milan, Malta's Valetta, Austria's Vienna, India's Chennai, Canada's Toronto, Argentina's El Chaten, and, of course, Turkey's Gallipoli which is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landing in World War I.



“Macau has grown out of its rep as a Las Vegas knock-off and into a mélange of new world glamour and old world grit,” wrote Lonely Planet travel writer Megan Eaves.

“With six times more revenue from gaming than Las Vegas, Macau has seen a huge boom in recent years,” she wrote. “Nouveau riche mainland Chinese have begun to flock here to enjoy the buzz of China's gambling hub.

“But the casino culture belies Macau's true charms. Its Portuguese heritage has created a fusion cuisine that combines European, African, Indian and Chinese elements.

“And where else in the world can you make an incense offering at an ancient Chinese Buddhist temple in the morning, take the world's highest bungee jump in the afternoon, have a Michelin-starred meal in the evening topped off with a bottle of Portuguese vino, don your finest for a glitzy show and then pull up a plastic stool for some Chinese street food as a midnight snack?”

Ms Eaves continued by writing: “With a spiffy new light rail system connecting the peninsula and islands in the works, as well as major hotel brands like Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott arriving and a slew of new glam casinos under construction, 2015 promises to be a banner year for Macau. And the completion of the world's longest sea bridge between Macau, Hong Kong and mainland China means it'll be easier than ever to get here.”

In writing her review, Ms Eaves drew a list of “life-changing experiences” such as exploring the back streets of Macau's UNESCO World Heritage old town – “a mix of Portuguese and Chinese architecture found nowhere else on earth”.

“Sampling the delights of Macanese cuisine, which mixes elements of Portuguese, African and Chinese food – think prawn, chorizo and olive-laden 'Portuguese fried rice',” she wrote.

“Thrill-seekers shouldn't leave without a leap off the world's highest commercial bungee platform or a cool stroll around the 233-metre-high Skywalk at Macau Tower,” she summed up.

Details: Macau Government Tourist Office, phone (02) 9264 1488, www.macautourism.gov.mo.

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Australia Lights Up Macau's Sky

Australia is among 10 specially selected countries invited to take on this year's 26th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest with family-owned business, Skylighter Fireworks, preparing for hot competition in the race for the top three places.

Renowned in Australia for its spectacular displays at major sporting events and festivals, the Brisbane firm will compete against Portugal in lighting up the Macau sky - and the famous Macau Tower – with a flurry of colours on Saturday, September 27.

The annual spectacle, which begins on Monday, September 8, to run over three successive Saturday evenings until the final round on Wednesday night, October 1, has attracted other top ranked teams from Taiwan, Croatia, China, France, Korea, Poland, Italy and Spain.

The highly charged contest is one of Macau's many major events and festivals on its annual calendar, a list which also includes the November 13-16 running of the 61st Macau Grand Prix street race meeting.

Skylighter Fireworks is one of Australia's premier pyrotechnic display companies, presenting hundreds of pyrotechnic and special effect displays each year.

The company's credits include New Year's Eve and Australia Day celebrations for the City of Brisbane at Southbank Parkland, National Fireworks Competition gold medals, and major cultural, corporate and sporting events and festivals throughout Australia.

Owner and founder Max Brunner and his family personally ensure that every event and display produced incorporates “our values of honesty, integrity, creativity, safety and value for money”.

“It will be the first time we will compete at this event and we know it will be a hard challenge against quality opposition,” he said. “But then again anything can happen on the evening.

“We can only do our best and learn and hope we are invited back next year.”

Max is hopeful the trip to Macau will reap benefits for his company and Australia.

Details: Macau Government Tourist Office, phone (02) 9264 1488, www.macautourism.gov.mo

Further details – Skylighter Fireworks, contact Max Brunner on (07) 5547 0510 or email enquiries@skylighter.com.au

Plaza Premium Lounge Celebrates Opening at Macau International Airport

Plaza Premium Lounge Management Limited is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of their premiere lounge at Macau International Airport (MIA).