• MGTO Director Senna Fernandes presents a trophy to first prize winner Tou Chon Wai
  • Macao Tourism Mascot ‘MAK MAK’ combines the two elements of black-faced spoonbill and Guia Lighthouse
  • The prize-giving ceremony for the Design Contest for Macao Tourism Mascot was held during the 6th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo

New Macao Tourism Mascot ‘MAK MAK’ makes Grand Entrance

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Organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) together with co-organizers the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Cultural Industry Fund, the Design Contest for the Macao Tourism Mascot has been won by 'MAK MAK' designed by Tou Chon Wai, and is now the official tourism mascot of Macao. The first-prize winning Macao Tourism Mascot will be used for destination promotion, with its image produced on various promotional materials, and appearing during different tourism activities and overseas tourism promotions.

The prize-giving ceremony was held in the Macao Pavilion of the 6thMacao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) on 27thApril. MGTO Director Senna Fernandes remarked in her speech that throughout the contest MGTO had sought to attract outstanding entries of tourism mascot design highlighting the unique, fascinating dimensions of Macao as a travel destination.

The hope - successfully fulfilled - was to project a fresh and positive tourism image of the city, impelling the tourism industry and the cultural and creative industries to move forward while demonstrating the positioning of Macao as a welcoming cosmopolitan city for travellers. The tourism mascot will take up the important role of promoting the city, while encouraging visitors from around the world to explore hidden gems in the various districts and parishes of Macao.

Macao Tourism Mascot 'MAK MAK' is a black-faced spoonbill, its design inspired by the Guia Lighthouse, while the hues of red, yellow and blue of 'MAK MAK' are suggestive of a European feel. In the role of pathfinder, 'MAK MAK' encourages travellers to explore Macao, a city of Chinese and European cultures woven together in harmony, while searching for its own meaning on the journey and bringing back all valuable experiences to its most beloved home - Macao.

The Design Contest for Macao Tourism Mascot began by calling for entries in late October of last year. Within two months, applicants had submitted 111 entries. The jury comprised MGTO, the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Cultural Industry Fund, Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, City University of Macau, University of Saint Joseph, Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre, Macau Artists Society, Macau Designers Association and Albergue SCM. The panel assessed entries and selected the winners based upon the criteria of relevance, feasibility of production, design concept, aesthetics, creativity and skills employed.