Festive joy livens up the city as the Year of Ram arrives. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) sincerely wishes Macau citizens and visitors a New Year overflowing with vitality and bliss. MGTO also wishes Macau tourism industry will march toward sound and diversified development. In the New Year, the Office will spare no efforts in helping the city to become a "World Centre of Tourism and Leisure". MGTO joined hands with Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Cultural Affairs Bureau and Macao Sport Development Board to present Spring Festival celebrations together at the Ruins of St. Paul's and Senado Square on the first day of Lunar New Year (19 February), sharing the festive delight with local citizens and visitors. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Tam Chon Weng, attended the event to officiate the eye-dotting ceremony for the dancing lions and golden dragon. Last year Macau welcomed over 28 million visitors from the Greater China market, a year-on-year increase of 8.5%. During Chinese New Year holidays, a great number of visitors from the Mainland and neighboring regions are expected to spend their vacation in Macau. Macau has also become a destination choice for international visitors who wish to experience the Chinese festive season. MGTO thus took the opportunity to express New Year greetings to local citizens and visitors, showing the destination's warm hospitality. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Tam Chon Weng; MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; Vice President of Administration Committee of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Lo Veng Tak; MGTO Deputy Directors Cecilia Tse and Cheng Wai Tong officiated the eye-dotting ceremony for the dancing lions and golden dragon along with local trade representatives at the Ruins of St. Paul's, and lit firecrackers together at Senado Square to kick off the celebrations on the first morning of Lunar New Year. The guests then joined the God of Fortune to distribute "Lai Si" and souvenirs to locals and visitors at Senado Square, filling the area with joyful blessings. "Lai Si" given by the God of Fortune conveys the best wishes of prosperity for Macau. A 238-meter-long golden dragon led a parade across major tourist spots and demonstrated vigorous moves accompanied by lively young lions. Their lively performance symbolizes that Macau will brim with vitality and flourish in the New Year. The Chinese Zodiac sign "Ram" represents auspiciousness, kindness and harmony. Wishing Macau citizens an auspicious beginning in the New Year, it also inspires locals to live in harmony and strive together for the welfare of Macau. MGTO keeps the tradition to distribute "Lai Si" to visitors during Lunar New Year. Starting on the first day of Lunar New Year, MGTO's Tourist Information counters distribute "Lai Si" containing phrases of New Year blessings while stock lasts. Each "Lai Si" also contains 10 cents for auspicious wishes. The Lunar New Year celebrations are held on the first and second day of Lunar New Year. Citizens and visitors are welcome to browse MGTO's website for the program: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo. MGTO is also presenting the mega outdoor celebrations – "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram" on the third (21 February) and tenth night (28 February) of Lunar New Year. Well-known Hong Kong singers Miriam Yeung, Andy Hui and Stephy Tang are invited for the first time to perform on the two aforementioned days respectively while Hong Kong artist Johnson Lee will host the parade evening on the third day of Lunar New Year. The Office has also scheduled a fireworks show on the third night of Lunar New Year to wish citizens and visitors a fantastic beginning in the New Year. MGTO has launched eight walking tour routes under the theme "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities". During their visit in Macau in Lunar New Year, visitors can stroll along the routes in different local districts, enjoying both the scenery and festive ambience in town. On the other hand, the Office has arranged staff to answer visitor enquiries and provide guiding service at ten major tourist attractions between the first and tenth day of Lunar New Year (19 – 28 February). During Lunar New Year, MGTO's Tourism Hotline 2833 3000 maintains its 24-hour operator service to answer visitor enquiries: http://en.macautourism.gov.mo/useful/hotline.php
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