The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has welcomed a delegation from Huai’an on a courtesy call that saw the Macao side share its experience of the application process to become a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Delegates from the city in Jiangsu province discussed future possibilities for mutual exchange and cooperation in tourism, gastronomy and other fields.
The visit took place on 22 October. The Huai’an delegation also toured tourism facilities and explored aspects of Macao’s unique culinary culture.
The delegation included, among other officials, the Deputy Mayor of Huai’an Municipal People’s Government, Wang Xianghong; Director of Huai’an Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Zhang Donglai; and Director of Huai’an Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, Zhu Yu.
MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong shared details about tourism development in Macao amid the COVID-19 pandemic and presented a review of both cities’ exchange in gastronomy and culture.
Huai’an Deputy Mayor Wang delivered an introduction to Huai’an and gave an update on the city’s preparatory work for its application to UNESCO for status as a Creative City of Gastronomy. She also proposed mutual exchange and cooperation in tourism, culture and gastronomy, as well as other fields, in preparation for the city’s application.
After the courtesy call, the Huai’an delegation visited tourist attractions such as the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha, Travessa da Paixão, Rua de Nossa Senhora do Amparo and Pátio de Chôn Sau for a better understanding of Macao’s tourism situation and recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The delegation also explored Macao’s unique gastronomic culture and glamour as a Creative City of Gastronomy.
Macao was designated a Creative City of Gastronomy in October 2017 by UNESCO. Through “inheritance, innovation and exchange” Macao leverages gastronomy as a catalyst for cultural exchange and carries on the radiant dynamic brought by diverse culture in harmony, supporting the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
MGTO has actively supported other Mainland China cities in their respective effort to achieve the status of member city of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. In 2018 and 2019, the Office invited potential candidate cities from the Mainland to mark their presence in the “International Gastronomy Forum, Macao”. Huai’an has participated in both editions of the forum and arranged for chefs to join the Cooking Show, the Forum’s major highlight last year.
On the other hand, MGTO attended a “Belt and Road” Themed Forum on the Internationalisation of Huaiyang Cuisine at the invitation of Huai’an in 2018, and has participated in the China (Huai’an) International Food Expo annually since 2018. Through MGTO, the Macau Cuisine Association arranged for chefs to take part in the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy – Culinary Skill Exchange and Demonstration as part of the China (Huai’an) International Food Expo 2020.
A delegation from Huai’an has held talks with MGTO officials on cooperation in tourism, gastronomy and in other fields 
October’s meeting included a discussion about the application process to become a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy 
Huai’an Deputy Mayor Wang Xianghong and MGTO Director Senna Fernandes exchange souvenirs