Macau celebrates its 15th anniversary of its return to Mainland China with new programs to highlight its diversity to international travellers.
MACAU – It sounds like a paradox. While 2014 will mark the 15th anniversary of Macau reversal to Mainland China, the Special Administrative Region is looking to promote its blended Chinese-Portuguese roots with walking circuits in the old town. The program is called “Step Out, Experience Macau’s Communities” highlights the almost 500-year cohabitation between West and East, which gave to Macau its unique identity. Macau is listed today on UNESCO World Heritage List for its preserved old town which is a rather amazing mix of Mediterranean and Chinese cultures. Since the hand-over from Portugal to China in 1999, millions of dollars have been injected by Chinese authorities to restore Macau old town and even make it more Portuguese looking than it used to be. Old lighting, Portuguese-style pavement or azulejos tiles to decorate public squares give definitively an old-world charm and feeling to the small city.
The new walking tours highlight four themes: “East meets West”, “Looking at Macau’s historical roots”, “Nature and creativity” and “Art and Culture” highlight the architectural and cultural heritage of Macau’s old town. Apps to be downloaded are available free of charge for travellers and are proposed in different languages. The shortest of the four walks takes approximately 90 minutes while the longest lasts approximately 130 minutes.
While Macau old town is at the centre of the anniversary’s promotion, the territory continues to build up its hotel capacity. The city currently has 102 hotels and guest houses offering 29,000 rooms, new capacities are due to be added in 2015 and 2016, particularly around the Cotai-Strip, this piece of reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa which have seen the construction of most new casinos and hotels. Galaxy Mega Resort will see next year the opening of the world’s largest JW Marriott and a Ritz Carlton offering together 1,300 rooms and suites. In 2015, the Hollywood Roosevelt Macau will be a boutique property echoing the famed Hollywood Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles.
In 2016, the deluxe Wynn Palace – a casino and hotel complex- will open its doors. It is dubbed to be one of the world’s most expensive hotels with an investment of US$ 4 billion. The hotel will be opened the same year than the famous new bridge finally providing a land access between Hong Kong and Macau…
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
