Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U presided over the opening ceremony of the Macau Tourism and Cultural Activities Center (CATC) this afternoon (Sept 27). The Center will provide a variety of services to the Macau residents and visitors to further enrich Macau's tourism resources. Secretary Cheong U, Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, Deputy Directors Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Manuel Pires, travel trade representatives and other guests participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony and visited the facility. Situated near the Ruins of St Paul's, CATC has 5 floors. The ground floor of CATC is a multi-service floor houses counters of MGTO and the tourism sector that provide information on tourism, hotels, restaurants and transportation to the visitors. Foreign exchange services and "Made-in-Macau" brand products display and sales are also available. Visitors can enjoy Portuguese snacks and tasting activities at the Portuguese style café, LUSITANUS on the 1st floor. Tables on the corridor offer a wonderful view of the Ruins of St Paul's to the visitors tasting Portuguese egg tarts. Special menu is available at weekends accompanied by traditional Portuguese music. A selection of arts and crafts, wine, coffee and food products showing Portuguese culture are also on display and for sale. Located on the 2nd floor, Macau Tea Story showcases the art of tea through tea tasting, tea products promotion and exchange. Handicrafts of tea are also available for sale. Basement 2 features a multi-function hall exhibiting Macau's world heritage, latest city development and hotels to the Macau residents and visitors. Named Virtual Macau Experience, the facility shows the latest promotional video of MGTO from which visitors can obtain update tourism information. In the near future, a 3D model of Macau will be installed to show the Historic Center of Macau, famous tourist attractions and major regional infrastructures. Macau Creative Pavilion situated on Basement 1 is jointly operated by Cultural Affairs Bureau and Macau local creative entities to promote creative and cultural industry by displaying locally developed creative products.
