Macao Week in Chongqing grandly opens
The “Macao Week in Chongqing”was grandly unveiled yesterday (3 December) to stage a mega roadshow at Jiefangbei Square at Yuzhong District in Chongqing from 2 to 6 December. By presenting eye-catching booths, interactive experience, stage performances, check-in games and so forth, the event highlights Macao’s diverse elements of tourism, commerce and more, showcases the rich dynamic of “tourism +” and raises Macao’s profile as a safe and glamorous destination.
The officiating guests at the opening ceremony include: Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Lei Wai Nong; Vice Mayor of the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality, Cai Yunge; Deputy Secretary General of the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality, Wang Kuiwan; Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department of the LiaisonOffice of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Zhu Hong; Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality, Wang Wen; Secretary of Administrative Committee of Yuzhong District of Chongqing Municipality,Zhao Shiqing; Executive Director of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Agostinho Vong; District Mayor of the People’s Government of Yuzhong District of Chongqing Municipality, Huang Maojun; Deputy Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, Song Gang; Second-level Inspector of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, Du Hu, and Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality, Zhang Yaqian.
Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, Lei Wai Nong, stated in his speech that Chongqing and Macao have unlocked the door to exchange and laid the foundation for cooperation since years ago. Inaugurated in 2002, Yu’ao Bridge especially symbolizes the friendship between both cities. Over the years, there have been frequent interchanges between Chongqing and Macao, which continue to widen and deepen their scope of exchange and cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce, cultural tourism, MICE, academics, society, health care and so forth. In terms of tourism, Macao once joined hands with other cities in the Greater Bay Area to roll out collaborative promotions in Chongqing. In face of the global shift to the new normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Macao always embraces an open and friendly attitude in forging cooperation with various Mainland provinces, cities and autonomous regions. Starting from this month, daily flights have resumed between Chongqing and Macao, expected to effectively enhance mutual visitations and tourism development among other areas between the two cities.
Vice Mayor of the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality, Cai Yunge, remarked in his speech that from Yu’ao Bridge which spans across Jialing River, to various initiatives of mutual cooperation put into implementation in different fields, Chongqing and Macao have forged closer collaboration and yielded effective results in different areas including trade and commerce, transportation, Chinese medicine, culture, tourism, MICE, education, youth exchange and joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Embracing the golden opportunity brought by the Macao Week in Chongqing 2021, Chongqing will take another step forward in exchange and cooperation with Macao, as both cities join hands to pay more mutual visits of officials, deepen cooperation and consensus, build the platform of trade and commerce, expand the spectrum of collaborative channels and enhance people-to-people exchange for closer friendship between the people of both cities. Chongqing will capitalize on the advantages and function of Macao as a commerce and trade cooperation platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to connect and forge new partnerships with Portuguese-speaking countries in trade and commerce, jointly expanding markets and creating platforms for opening up and mutual sharing. He believes that as the people of both cities join hand in hand in solidarity, Chongqing and Macao will march towards a brighter future for cooperation.
Roadshow manifests glamourous diversity of culture, tourism, commerce and sports
For five days in a row, the mega roadshow is staged at Jiefangbei Square at Yuzhong District in Chongqing to showcase Macao’s colorful dimensions of tourism, trade and commerce, culture and creativity, sports, entertainment and more through an array of zones/booths themed as follows: overview about Macao and its gastronomy, festivals and events; MAK MAK Shop; Macao Good Shop; Macao’s sport events; “A glimpse into Macao Grand Prix Museum”; Macao’s tourism products for sale; trade, commerce and economy of Macao; an informative display by Economic and Technological Development Bureau, as well as a showcase of Macao’s tourism industry presented by pertinent integrated tourism enterprises and airline company. There is also a tourist information counter offering Macao travel tips on site and sharing with Chongqing residents about the requirement for visitors to Macao to present valid proof of negative result of a COVID-19 nucleic acid test taken within an extended period of seven days without requirement of medical observation. Staffers at various booths devote great efforts to promote Macao’s distinctive elements, while Macao Tourism Mascot MAK MAK appears for a friendly encounter with residents and visitors in Chongqing, striving to boost their intention to visit Macao.
Teeming with mesmerizing performances
During the roadshow, spectators can enjoy wonderful performances at the main stage on schedule such as performances by singers from Macao, Dragon Dance, Lion Dance, light dance show and pop dance show that exudes modernity. Arranged by the six major integrated tourism enterprises, more distinctive dance and singing performances enliven the roadshow and convey Macao’s warm hospitality to Chongqing residents and visitors.
Delightful surprises to offer online and offline
During the roadshow, spectators can scan the QR code at the tourist information counter on site to follow MGTO’s official account in exchange for a gift. Spectators can also take photos at any of the showcase zones, put the hashtag “Macao Week in Chongqing” and share the photos with friends on social networks such as WeChat, Sina Weibo and Douyin, to obtain a souvenir at the tourist information counter. What’s more, they can view live streams of the Macao Week in Chongqing for a chance to win surprise gifts from travel KOLs online.
Abundant travel offers
With the generous support of participating entities, the event presents over RMB-100-million special travel offers on air tickets, hotel accommodation, dining and more tourism products for sale at the roadshow and relevant platforms.
The organizer has been widely spotlighting the Macao Week in Chongqing via various online and offline channels in the Mainland as well as live streams conducted by numerous travel KOLs, while different media from Macao, Chongqing and the Mainland have been covering and reporting the event extensively. Furthermore, abundant information about the Macao Week in Chongqing are posted on MGTO’s official accounts on WeChat, Weibo, Xiaohongshu and Douyin among various platforms.
Tourism presentation seminar fosters cooperation and expands visitor source
Riding on the Macao Week in Chongqing, MGTO held a Macao tourism presentation seminar on 2 December to present an overview of Macao’s latest tourism situation, recent calendar of mega events and new tourism products. The presentation seminar enabled industry delegates from both cities to connect and discuss business opportunities. By organizing the presentation seminar which featured a business matching and networking session as well, the Office sought to enhance tourism exchange and cooperation between Chongqing and Macao and expand the spectrum of visitor source for both destinations.
Relish the delightful Taste of Macao
The “Macao Week in Chongqing – Taste of Macao Food Promotion” is presenting Macao’s unique gastronomic brand – Macanese and Portuguese cuisine at the Westin Chongqing Liberation Square from 3 to 16 December, to radiate Macao’s glamour as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. In addition to the buffet meticulously designed to offer 33 signature Macanese and Portuguese dishes, nine set meals are also served on a special àlaCartemenu at the hotel restaurants. Moreover, online food-ordering service is available for the first time, enabling local patrons to take away and enjoy a taste of Macao at home. In charge of culinary exchange in the event, Vice President of Macau Cuisine Association and Leading Chef of the “Taste of Macao Food Promotion”, Lou Chi Seng, also partnered with travel KOLs in interactive live streams to introduce Macanese and Portuguese cuisine and promote Macao’s culinary culture for a wider promotional impact.
Strict compliance with pandemic prevention guidelines
During the Macao Week in Chongqing, the units involved rigorously follow the COVID-19 prevention guidelines issued by the city’s public health authorities and make appropriate arrangements for the activities to support pandemic prevention while all participants must adhere to the arrangements for pandemic prevention. At the same time, visitors are advised to complete the formalities for entry and pandemic prevention before visiting Macao and adhere to pandemic prevention guidelines issued by the Macao SAR Government during their stay in Macao.
