A Big Leap in Macau Tourism

Ao Man Long, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, stated that the Macau SAR Government is striving to build a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure”. Last year, Macau’s tourism industry saw steady growth. Provisional figures show that the total number of visitor arrivals for the year reached 24.965 million, up 15% compared to the same period in 2009. Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan remained the top three source markets, with visitor numbers from Mainland China rising by 20%, and those from Hong Kong increasing by 11%.

Reviewing the implementation of the “Support Scheme for Macao’s Tourism Industry”, initiatives in leisure tourism included the “Free Guided Tours at World Heritage Sites” and the “Celebrate Macao Tour”. From May 18, 2009 to March 31, 2010, the “Celebrate Macao Tour” involved 66 travel agencies organizing 54,000 tour groups, serving 1.33 million visitors, with 58,000 guide assignments. In the aviation sector, support focused on local airlines, development of new routes, and provision of promotional funding.

In Macau, how can you not try Macanese cuisine? Macanese cuisine is essentially Macau-style Portuguese food. Classic Macanese dishes include: bacalhau balls, Portuguese chicken, African chicken, stuffed crab shells, duck with blood, mince beef, salted shrimp and tamarind pork, and more. Of course, you can also find more authentic Portuguese home-style dishes in Macau. Portuguese cuisine emphasizes the natural flavors of ingredients and tends to suit those who enjoy bold tastes. Main dishes include: creamy vegetable soup, stir-fried clams, red bean pork trotters, and seafood rice. In areas such as Avenida do Almirante Sérgio, Avenida da Praia Grande, and the Senado Square on the Macau Peninsula, as well as Rua da D. Maria II in Sai Van, and in Coloane near Hac Sa Beach, and in Taipa’s Rua do Cunha, there are great restaurants serving both Macanese and Portuguese dishes.