4 MACAO EVENT PLANNERS’ GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT MACAO A City of Splendor 6 Unesco World Heritage 8 Macao in Numbers 10 Visitor Essentials 12 Major Macao Events 13 TOP THINGS TO DO IN MACAO Get Out and Explore 14 Sample Itineraries 16 UNRIVALLED VENUES 18 NEIGHBORING ZHUHAI AND HENGQIN ISLAND 20 ACCESSIBILITIES Macao in the World 22 Macao Map 24 GOVERNMENT BODIES 26 COTAI 28 VENUES 30 SERVICE PROVIDERS 61 GOVERNMENTAL & EDUCATIONAL 79 TESTIMONIALS 82 ABOUT MISE 84 MACAO EVENT PLANNERS’ GUIDE 5 ABOUT MACAO - The last 500 years A CITY OF SPLENDOR One Country, two Systems Portuguese settlements including Goa, India and former Macao lives off of the gaming and hospitality industries, African colonies – known as Macanese food. which have exponentially expanded since the liberalization The local population is predominantly comprised of Macao of the gaming industry in 2001, when Macao welcomed Chinese, Macanese – those of Portuguese and Chinese in foreign gaming operators. The Special Administrative heritage, Portuguese and Southeast Asian nationalities, Region, like its neighbour Hong Kong, operates with an increased Western presence since the gaming under the oversight of Mainland China but has its own liberalization. government, judicial system and currency. With virtually no unemployment and strong fscal surpluses, Macao evolved from a fshing and trade hub, to a textile and freworks manufacturing center, to its current reliance on the gaming industry. Gaming in Macao is divided between VIP play and mass-market, with the principal game being Baccarat. World Heritage City Centre The city center holds 21 UNESCO-protected buildings and squares, named the Historic Center of Macao, for their unique architectural, cultural and historical value. Its cuisine includes a variety of Portuguese recipes created with local ingredients, as well as mixtures of recipes from former Macao has a rich history, ranging from battles and races to fortune and economic resilience. Here are some of the memorable moments. 6 MACAO EVENT PLANNERS’ GUIDE 1500s PORTUGUESE ARRIVAL Portuguese merchant explorers arrive on the beach next to A-Ma Temple, earning the city its name. 1600s BATTLE OF MACAO A Dutch invasion of Macau is thwarted by local forces, despite the city’s fort being only partially constructed. 1800s RUINS OF ST, PAUL’S A fre and typhoon destroy the Cathedral and College ST of St. Paul, leaving only the façade behind. 1954 1 GRAND PRIX 15 entrants, all motor enthusiasts, participate in a four- hour, 51-lap race around the Guia circuit. 1968 CASINO LISBOA OPENS Stanley Ho’s STDM, the company that held the casino monopoly until 2001, opens the Casino Lisboa. 1995 MACAO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Opened in November of 1995, the 24-hour airport handles long haul fights with up to 650,000 passengers. 1999 HANDOVER 422 years of Portuguese occupancy come to an end as the Portuguese fag is lowered December 19th. 2001 GAMING LIBERALIZATION City opens up to foreign gaming operators – with three concessions to Galaxy, SJM and Wynn Resorts. MACAO EVENT PLANNERS’ GUIDE 7 WORLD HERITAGE SITES UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE Subscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005, Eastern and Western cultures give the city a visible historical Macao’s geographical location as well as its architectural, profle, easily seen through its major monuments and areas. scientifc, artistic and technological mixtures between 1. CASA GARDEN 2. SENADO SQUARE Home to the Orient Foundation, it was built in The square facing the former senate building – Leal 1770 for Portuguese merchant Manuel Pereira and 1 2 Senado – is framed by neo-classical buildings and is later rented out to the East India Company. the hub of events and tourism in the city. 3 4 3. LILAU SQUARE 4. DOM PEDRO V THEATRE A local saying says those who drink from the 5 6 First Western-style theatre in China and built in fountain, located in one of the frst Portuguese 1860, the theatre seats 300. The theatre serves as a residential segments of Macao, never forget the city. venue for high-profle local events and performances. 5. MANDARIN HOUSE 6. MOUNT FORTRESS Traditional residence compound of literary fgure Zheng Formerly the city’s main defense, the fortress was equipped Guanying, the compound features both Western and Chinese with canons and barracks, and located next to the Ruins of elements and plays host to various performances and events. St. Paul’s. A mixture of Portuguese heritage and Chinese culture, made visual through its monuments, squares, facades and alleyways. 8 MACAO EVENT PLANNERS’ GUIDE 1 2 3 4 5 6 MACAO EVENT PLANNERS’ GUIDE 9 MACAO IN NUMBERS VISITOR ARRIVALS *Data regarding full-year 2015, source: www.dsec.gov.mo Mainland China Japan 20,411,350 282,138 Hong Kong India 6,533,147 167,542 South Korea USA 533,991 Arrivals in 2016 182,429 Thailand 30,697,598 Rest of the world 180,764 2,403,267 INDUSTRIES *Data regarding full-year 2015, source: www.dsec.gov.mo Currency shown in data in USD MICE Hospitality Gross Gaming Revenue $29 Million $3.25 Billion $28.86 Billion Food and Beverage Retail $1.25 Billion $7.61 Billion LANGUAGE *Data obtained in the 2011 Census, source: 2011 Census LANGUAGE ABILITY 6 KEY WORDS IN CANTONESE Hello Lei Ho Yes Hai No Mh Hai Thank You Mh Goi How much? Gei Chin Beautiful Hou Leng 10 MACAO EVENT PLANNERS’ GUIDE ACCOMMODATION *Data regarding the third Quarter of 2016, source: Statistics and Census Bureau 2016 Hotel rooms HOTEL Integrated Resorts 36,200 8 5-Star hotels 4-Star hotels 28 Hotels 17 75 FOOD *Data regarding the second Quarter of 2016 POPULATION TERRITORY *Results of 2011 Population Census, source: www.dsec.gov.mo Source: DSEC 2016 Macao in Figures – PDF MACAO EVENT PLANNERS’ GUIDE 11 VISITOR ESSENTIALS CURRENCY MOP, RMB and HKD can be used in Macao and exchanged at local banks or money exchange counters. ATMs and credit cards are widely used and available throughout the city. The MOP is pegged to the HKD and, through it, to the US dollar. VISA LANGUAGE To encourage tourist visitation, the city has liberalized its entry Offcial languages of the city are Chinese and Portuguese policy, allowing visa-free entry for over 60 countries, including and the most commonly spoken language in the city is the U.S., Canada, Australia and most European countries as Cantonese. English and Mandarin are extensively used well as many neighboring regions throughout Asia. throughout the city. For more information visit: www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/EDoN.html SHOPPING Dominated by luxury brands and internationally Scan the QR Code to get more recognized labels, the Cotai strip and main integrated information about VISAS resorts have shopping to suit all tastes and budgets. For more local shopping visit Senado Square and step into the side alleyways. With local clothing, handicrafts, SPECIAL DIETARY and a food market, the streets hold items from typical Macao is known as a food-tourism destination and can Cheongsam dresses to Chinese Medicine goods. cater for all ethnic and regional food, including Indian cuisine, but also vegetarian, vegan, Halal and raw food. APPS & WEBSITES Larger venues including the integrated resorts have catering options for larger groups. A number of applications ranging from general information, suggested tour routes, history, shows and event information and maps are available from the local tourism bureau: SAFETY http://en.macaotourism.gov.mo/corner/phone_apps.php Renowned as a safe city, Macao has one of the largest Police (Experience Macao) (What’s On Macao) presences in the world. The city has two main hospitals, both on the peninsula, with a further one to open on the islands. Emergency numbers: 999 – Police / 112 – Ambulance WEATHER Weather in the city is hot and humid during the summer, generally rainy during the autumn and cool in winter. Weather is best towards the end of autumn. 12 MACAO EVENT PLANNERS’ GUIDE MAJOR MACAO EVENTS MAY MAY JUNE ARTS FESTIVAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL FIVB WORLD GRAND PRIX Annual event with theatre, musical, Held on the Peninsula, in centrally Host city to the Federation Internationale de dance performances as well as master located Nam Van lake, the races welcome Volleyball (FIVB) competition since 1993, the classes and workshops with internationally local association and corporate teams as event is co-organized by the Sports Bureau and renowned artists. Follows a yearly theme. well as international competitors. Volleyball Association and held in the Macao Forum, under the wing of the Sports Bureau. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER OCTOBER FIREWORKS FESTIVAL LUSOFONIA MUSIC FESTIVAL International competition welcoming Cultural festival celebrating Portuguese- Comprised of musical as well as theatrical teams from Europe, Asia and the Americas, speaking countries’ music, food, handicrafts performances and encompassing vocal two teams compete on the same night and more, the event welcomes over 25,000 performances to full orchestral pieces, with freworks displays lasting up to 20 people to celebrate 10 countries’ cultures. the event welcomes internationally known minutes each. musicians from around the world. NOVEMBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER FOOD FESTIVAL GRAND PRIX MACAO LATIN CITY PARADE Held next to the Macao Tower, the Begun in 1954, the event is comprised of Cultural event with a procession festival attracts locals and visitors with car and motorcycle races divided by various throughout the city culminating in a grand food booths from around the world, with classes and vehicle types. One of the most fnal involving hundreds of local artists and entertainment, games and competitions. challenging circuits in the racing world. international performance groups. MACAO EVENT PLANNERS’ GUIDE 13 GET OUT AND EXPLORE GET OUT AND EXPLORE The city has an array of activities and experiences to take something for the adrenaline seeker, the anthropologist, the advantage of.