The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has partnered with a number of different entities to launch the “Experience Macao, Unlimited” promotional campaign, which will highlight a myriad of appealing activities and events in the city all under monthly themes until the end of the year. Through social networks, videos, graphic design and other media, MGTO is spotlighting and recommending these city highlights to both Mainland China visitors and Macao residents.

Video of the “Experience Macao, Unlimited” campaign for monthly city highlights

This month, under the theme of “May there be FUN”, the Light up Macao Drone Gala 2022 and the 2022 Macao International Dragon Boat Races will highlight the kaleidoscope of travel experiences with “tourism+” element in the city. In June, “Tasty June” will cover a diversity of gastronomic activities including the United Nations’ Sustainable Gastronomy Day celebrations on 18^th June, placing Macao’s glamour as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy at centre stage. In July and August, the “Summer Heat is On” theme will promise fun-filled summer holidays in Macao.

In September, “Autumn Delights” will invite residents and visitors to bask in the autumnal charm of the city. In October, festivities will be rolled out under the theme of “Festive October” to celebrate National Day. In November, “November Formula” will take visitors on a breathtaking motorsports journey around the Macau Grand Prix circuit. Under the theme of “Dazzling Winter” in December, visitors and locals can take memorable strolls around the city, thanks to the mesmerising splendour of its seasonal artistic lights.

The programme will be uploaded to the Whats On website at whatson.macaotourism.gov.mo. The latest event announcements of the organisers shall prevail. MGTO is staying tuned to the pandemic situation and it is dedicated to following the Health Bureau’s guidelines on pandemic prevention through prompt adjustments to the promotional campaign.

In order to help both residents and visitors understand Macao Grand Prix’s culture, an array of new elements has been added to the offerings of the Macao Grand Prix Museum, such as virtual tour technology, a themed café some cultural innovations and more, further enriching the museum’s “education and fun” experience.

The museum’s new AR tour programme

From 1^st May, the Macao Grand Prix Museum launches a new augmented reality (AR) tour programme. When visitors reach the Memory Gallery on the first floor, they can scan the QR codes on the static racing posters in the gallery with their mobile phones to make them move and show racing clips. Visitors can also use the museum pass to play an AR interactive game, in which they can match photos in the appropriate periods and review the evolution of racing in Macao.

Visit the museum online anytime, anywhere

The Macao Grand Prix Museum can now be visited online as well. The museum uses 360-degree panoramic virtual tour technology to create a three-dimensional panoramic view of the whole space, presenting the museum’s exhibition area, venue layout and exhibits in front of the viewer. Public can visit the museum from anywhere and at any time and see it in all directions when they experience its online virtual tour at mgpm.macaotourism.gov.mo/vrtours.

Themed café adds leisure cultural and creative elements

A café that’s themed on the Macao Grand Prix was officially opened at the end of last month. Located next to the museum, the café offers a variety of drinks and light snacks featuring Grand Prix elements, as well as cultural and creative products that are related to NAKAMA, the museum’s original themed IP mascot. It fully integrates the concept of “tourism+sports+culture and creativity”. Until 23^rd May, each person who buys a ticket to the Macao Grand Prix Museum will be given a drink coupon and a gift coupon available only while stocks last. The coupons are valid until 31^st December.

Museum ticket x boarding pass promotion

The Macao Grand Prix Museum has also partnered with Air Macau and launched the promotional offer “Macao Grand Prix Museum x Air Macau Boarding Pass Promotion”. Until 30^th June, visitors who come to Macao by Air Macau can enjoy a buy-one-get-one-free offer when they purchase admission tickets to the museum by showing their Air Macau boarding pass, which is valid within seven days of arrival and can only be redeemed by the actual boarding pass holders. The special offer is only valid when admission tickets are purchased on a on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Macao Grand Prix in stamps on display

Visitors can now see a themed stamp exhibition at the museum, on display since April, with a stamp series on the shows under the theme of “Museums and their Collections VI - Macao Grand Prix Museum” issued by Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau in November 2011, manifesting the captivating scenes of the Macao Grand Prix.

Free admission on International Museum Day (18^th May)

In addition, on 18^th May - International Museum Day - admission to Macao Grand Prix Museum is free for the public. There will be a live balloon twisting event called the “Twisting Balloon Car” under the theme of “cars” from 4:30pm to 6:00pm on the same day. The balloon car will be distributed to visitors on a first-come-first-served basis.

For more information on the Macao Grand Prix Museum, please visit its official website at mgpm.macaotourism.gov.mo.

To welcome this year’s Labour Day holidays in Mainland China (30^th April to 4^th May), the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is arranging a series of exciting programmes and activities. It is also actively promoting an image of safe and quality travel to attract tourists to consume in Macao and experience the city’s diverse array of tourism features.

In addition to the “Light Up Macao Drone Gala 2022” - which takes place in early May, MGTO is organising guided tours around special locations within the city’s districts during the Labour Day holiday. Experience the “Cotai Historic Buildings Guided Tour Programme”, the “Subsidy Programme for Maritime Tourism - Tour of Rua da Praia do Manduco”, the “Pleasure in Central and South District”, the “Splendid Island - Community Tourism guided tour” and the “Discovering Macao - Community Tourism guided tour”. These tours focus on enriching the tourist’ experience in Macao and on promoting community tourism, coastal tourism and consumption. Other attractions include the augmented reality (AR) tour of the Macao Grand Prix Museum and the chance to enjoy a newly opened Grand Prix-themed café.

In addition, the MAK MAK Light Rapid Transit Pass is being relaunched. From now on, passengers arriving in Macao and using an Air Macau “NX” flight code can present their boarding passes and valid travel documents at the Passenger Information Counter in the arrivals hall or the Air Macau Ticket Counter in the departure hall at Macau International Airport to get a special Macao Light Rail ticket for unlimited travel on the Macao Light Rail over three days.

MAK MAK Light Rapid Transit Pass Video

Visitors arriving from Guangdong Province via the Zhuhai-Macao checkpoints or by sea must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test that was taken up to 72 hours after the date of sampling. During the Labour Day holiday, MGTO is conducting patrols at various tourist spots and ports of entry across the city’s districts, as well as overseeing measures taken by hotels against the pandemic. MGTO’s tourism hotline (853) 2833 3000 maintains a 24-hour operator service.

Visitors can obtain the latest travel information via MGTO’s website at www.macaotourism.gov.mo.

The Forbes Travel Guide, an independent global rating system recognised by the global travel industry, released its 2022 Star Awards for the world’s most outstanding hotels, restaurants and spas. A total of 17 hotels in Macao received a Five-Star rating in the 64^th annual list, which is four more than last year. Macao once again became the city with the most Five-Star hotels in the Asia-Pacific region and the second-most in the world (after London). The Wynn Macau is the only resort hotel in the world to receive eight Five-Star awards for the sixth consecutive year.

Four of the Five-Star hotels are newcomers to the list: Emerald Tower and Skylofts at the MGM COTAI, Grand Suites at the Four Seasons Hotel Macao and the Hotel Okura Macau. As for restaurants, a total of 22 restaurants were awarded five stars this year, including Five Foot Road and Imperial Court, which made the list for the first time. For spas, a total of 14 were awarded five stars, keeping Macao at the top spot in the world.

A total of 1,830 awards were given out this year. There were 323 awards for Five-Star hotels, 558 for Four-Star properties, 401 for Recommended hotels, 74 for Five-Star restaurants, 112 for Four-Star eateries, 67 for Recommended restaurants, as well as 102 for Five-Star spas and 193 for Four-Star spas.

To view all of the Forbes Travel Guide’s 2022 Star Awards Winners, please visit www.forbestravelguide.com/destinations/macau-china.

Chinese food delivery platform Meituan and food review website Dianping have announced the 2022 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, which has selected a total of 283 “diamond” restaurants in 26 cities from across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and overseas. A total of 11 restaurants in Macao were awarded diamonds, and the award ceremony will be held in Macao again this year.

Jade Dragon and Robuchon au Dôme were again given “Three-Diamond Restaurant” awards, which means they offer ‘a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience’. The Eight, La Chine, Mizumi and Wing Lei Palace were given “Two-Diamond Restaurant” awards, meaning that they are ‘ideal for special occasions’. The “One-Diamond Restaurant” award winners, which are “great for gatherings of families or friends”, were Hip Seng Seafood Hotpot, The Kitchen, Zi Yat Heen, Yi and SW Steakhouse that received one diamond for the first time.

Wynn is Meituan’s official partner for the 2022 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide and it will host the 2022 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide Award Ceremony and the 2022 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide “Chefs’ Feast” in Macao at dates to be announced.

For a complete list of the award-winners in the 2022 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, please visit awp.meituan.com/meis/meishi-talos-h5/blackpearl-board/main.html?notitlebar=1&mt=1&utm_source=zwcbwx (In Chinese version only).

Under the theme of “May there be FUN” this month, the Macao tourism industry has launched a variety of benefits, including boarding pass offers and hotel packages, to give visitors to the city a range of rich entertainment experiences and encourage longer stays. The campaign highlights Macao’s “tourism+” concept and looks to give the recovery of the tourism market a boost.

Boarding pass offers

Apart from the “Museum Ticket X Boarding Pass Promotion”, passengers who have a valid boarding pass issued within seven days upon arrival in Macao (flight code is “NX”) can enjoy different offers at various resorts and hotels in Macao until 30^th June.

Valid boarding pass holders can collect designated stamps at The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao and The Londoner Macao for an MOP100 Resort Voucher, as well as a 20% discount on tickets to the “teamLab SuperNature Macao” and some exquisite gifts. At the Galaxy Macau Resort, visitors can redeem food and shopping offers that are over MOP600. Free cake can be collected at Anytime at the MGM COTAI and at the Pastry Bar at the MGM MACAU. Visitors to the GoAirborne in the Lisboeta Macau can get a free flight photo and video package if they buy a first timers ticket or The GoAirborne® Package.

In addition, until 31^st December, passengers with a valid Air Macau boarding pass can enjoy a 20% discount and a gift when they buy tickets for the ZIPCITY MACAU. They can also enjoy a discount when they buy tickets to the SKYPARK sky-high activities as well as free admission to Macau Tower.

Multi-accommodation packages

At the same time, tourism operators are launching multiple packages to lure visitors and residents to stay, dine and enjoy their facilities. Among the examples are The Venetian Macao offers of a “Spring Getaway Hotel Package” with a MOP300 Resort Voucher and a free gondola tour for two guests. The Wynn Macau has also launched the “Enticing Gourmet Retreat” providing guests with MOP688 in combined dining and in-room minibar credit per room per night. Both packages are running until the end of this month.

With the arrival of hot temperatures, the Studio City Water Park has reopened with City of Dreams launching a “Splashing Summer Fun Hotel Package” valid until 30^th June. Guests staying at Morpheus, NÜWA, Grand Hyatt Macau, Studio City or Altira will be given two standard tickets to the Water Park.

The “Extraordinary Family Staycation Package” issued by Ponte 16 Resort will continue until 30^th June. It includes two food vouchers at the Sofitel Executive Club and two-hour admission tickets for one child and one adult to the Angry Birds Play Center.

Please visit the official website of each organiser for details of various benefits and offers, and subject to the announcement of the organiser.

Galaxy Entertainment Group (“GEG”) has received certifications from EarthCheck for several of its hotels over the past few years, with the latest one awarded to Galaxy Hotel, which received a Silver Certification for outstanding performance in environmental protection and sustainability in the first quarter of this year. Following the Galaxy International Convention Center’s receipt of a Silver Certification for Environmental Design in 2021, and the Banyan Tree Macau hotel brand’s receipt of Gold Certifications since 2019, GEG has become the integrated resort operator that has garnered the most EarthCheck certifications in Macao.

EarthCheck is a benchmarking certification and advisory group for the tourism industry, providing an authoritative framework for environmental and social sustainability with its certification programme. It has attracted hundreds of tourist organisations in over 70 countries or regions to join.

Since the Macao SAR’s Law No. 8/2021 on the Operation of Hotel Establishments came into effect in 2022, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has made ensuing adjustments to the rules of enforcement and the award mechanism of the “Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme” (“QTSAS”) for the catering sector. In line with the new law, QTSAS now groups catering businesses into four applicable subcategories, namely “Restaurant (hotel)”, “Restaurant (non-hotel)”, “Simple Dining Establishment” and “Food and Beverage Establishment”. A “Special Theme Award” is newly available while some of the existing accolades have been renamed.

Due to the pandemic situation, QTSAS will not process new applications from the catering sector this year. However, supervision and appraisal will be conducted upon accredited catering businesses according to the adjusted assessment criteria. On the other hand, QTSAS has halted the submission of applications and assessment for travel agencies this year, but pertinent accreditations remain valid for awarded merchants. As for the retail sector, MGTO will continue its collaboration with the Consumer Council, which brings together QTSAS and the Certified Shop Scheme.

The public can browse the Macao Tourism Industry Net at https://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/page/content.php?page_id=237 for QTSAS’s latest application manual and assessment criteria which have been adjusted for the catering sector.

The Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training at the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are jointly organising another online training programme entitled “Capacity Building for Sustainable Tourism Through Festivals and Events”, which will be held between 24^th and 26^th May.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, is invited to be one of the guest speakers on the programme and she will share Macao’s related developments and city’s experience under the theme of “Utilising current events and creating new events as tourism products - the case of Macao: what to consider, challenges and issues”.

Other speakers include tourism academics, experts and operators from Macao and abroad, who will address topics related to incorporating festivals and events into a destination tourism strategy, the benefits of sports events to a destination and how events may benefit communities in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The programme, which is by invitation only, has been designed for decision-makers in the tourism ministries and administrations of the UNWTO’s member states in Asia and the Pacific. Relevant personnel from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area are also invited to participate in the programme.