Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) kicked off four days of trade, media and consumer promotional events in New York starting May 3, 2012 for key media and trade partners. A series of events including Luckyrice's Grand Feast Dinner and Wall Street Lunch were held to tap the upscale market in the United States. To share Macau's positioning as a world centre of tourism and leisure and provide an overall update on Macau, MGTO hosted two luncheon events: one on May 3 for the travel trade and travel media community at the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), and another one for key members of the financial sector industry and media on May 4 at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park Hotel, adjacent to Wall Street. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) New York Chapter, MGTO also hosted a Gala Dinner at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria to celebrate this significant accomplishment of the most active regional PATA chapter in the U S. 120 members and guests, including PATA Chairman and MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes, Destination Marketing Department head Betty Fok, MGTO representatives in the U S and leaders from PATA's New York Chapter were present at the dinner. For the second year in a row, MGTO took part in a culinary event Luckyrice, targeted to upscale consumers in the New York area. As New York is considered one of the world's capitals of food, fashion, finance and culture, it is relevant that MGTO participates in this event to introduce Americans to authentic, world-renowned Macanese cuisine. Over 1,350 festival guests took part to taste Macau's unique cuisine. MGTO-USA has partnered with Macau's Institute of Tourism Studies (IFT) to bring Chef David Wong and Chef Raymond Wong to New York for the events. The chefs participated at two Luckyrice events: The Grand Feast and Talk+Taste. The chefs showcased Macanese cuisine to an American audience and enticed them to join the increasing number of Americans heading to Macau every year. In 2011, 196,065 Americans visited Macau, up 4.1% from the previous year. Bringing in authentic chefs to prepare some of Macau's most famous dishes, this event showcased Macau's culinary history and offerings to New Yorkers, giving them even more reasons to visit Macau. On May 4, the chefs prepared Macanese cuisine for 1,000 culinary enthusiasts at the Grand Feast. This feast paired the best of Asian cuisine with an acclaimed line-up of master chefs from Asia, as well as those from the Luckyrice culinary council. Chef David and Chef Raymond participated side by side with New York's most beloved chefs and star chefs from Asian culinary hotspots. The two chefs from Macau provided instructions on how to make two typical Macanese dishes during the Talk+Taste event on May 6. This event featured cooking demonstrations by masters of Asian cuisine as they prepare regional specialties. About Luckyrice: An annual week of festivities, the LUCKYRICE Festival shines a spotlight on Asian culinary culture through eight auspicious events including the Grand Feast, Night Market, Opening Cocktails, Talk + Taste and other tastings, dinners and gastronomic gatherings.
