08 May 2014
The 25th anniversary of the Macau Arts Festival, new 'Step Out, Macau' walking tour films, the world's first Karl Lagerfeld hotel and Asia's first Versace hotel - these are just some of the latest developments and major tourist attractions taking place in Macau. Celebrating its 15th anniversary of becoming a Special Administrative Region of China this year, Macau is firmly on the map as one of the most exciting destinations in the Far East and one that is rich in history, culture, entertainment and world famous food.
HOTEL NEWS:
More than 12,000 new hotel rooms are planned over the next three years in Macau - a destination with one of the most vibrant hotel scenes in the world. With some of the most notable names in the fields of fashion, design and luxury hospitality - from Versace and Karl Lagerfeld to Ritz-Carlton and Wynn Palace - designing and opening properties between now and 2017, it demonstrates the growing popularity and development of this dynamic destination.
Highlights that have been announced include: the world's largest J W Marriot and Ritz-Carlton's first all-suite hotel as part of Phase 2 of the Galaxy Macau integrated resort; The Parisian Macao which will feature a half size replica of France's most iconic symbol, the Eiffel Tower; Hollywood glamour with the opening of the Hollywood Roosevelt Macau; the MGM Cotai and the Lisboa Palace resort which will include The Lisboa Palace Hotel, the Palazzo Versace Macau and the world's first KARL LAGERFELD Hotel.
NEW FILMS
MGTO has launched four new short films to accompany its collection of recently created walking tours. Available online (http://en.macautourism.gov.mo/plan/walking_tours.php?id=549), the films are designed to give visitors a taste of what to expect on each walking tour and also create a greater travel experience by complementing the walking tours iOS app and maps that can be downloaded for free via the MGTO website.
The four walking tours, titled 'Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities', are each themed to take in a different aspect of Macau: 'A Tour of Historical Trails', 'A Tour of Nature and Creativity', 'A Tour of East meets West' and 'A Tour of Arts and Culture'. Intended to be leisurely strolls, the shortest of the four walks takes approximately 90 minutes to complete while the longest takes approximately 130 minutes to complete.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
25th Macau Arts Festival - 2nd May - 8th June
Performance artists from across the world gather in Macau for the annual Macau Art Festival (MAF) which for 2014 celebrates 25 years. Kicking off on the 2nd May, and over the course of a month, audiences can enjoy a programme of local and international theatre, traditional and modern dance, Chinese and Western music, visual arts including painting exhibitions circus spectacles - and more - at several UNESCO-listed auditoriums across Macau.
Highlights for this anniversary year include the Dance Dome 360° Cinema Experience by 4π Productions and Coreo Cymru from the UK - an intimate and immersive cinema developed to surround audiences in cutting edge contemporary dance; the Macao Chinese Orchestra performing the 'Reminiscence of the Classics' concert and the Macao Orchestra performing an East Meets West concert.
Macau International Dragon Boat Festival - 31st May - 2nd June
The Dragon Boat Festival combines a traditional celebration with the exciting pace of a sporting event. It originates from an event which took place in ancient years when Wat Yuen, a famous poet and royal minister, threw himself into a river when his king fell under the influence of corrupt officials and refused to heed Wat Yuen's wise advice.
Today, it is key event with huge crowds gathering to watch elaborately-designed dragon boats race to the sound of beating drums, as if they are looking for Wat Yuen's body. Rowers win by grabbing the flag at the end of the course. Among the world's oldest organised sports, the Dragon Boat Races date back over 2,000 years and take place on Macau's Nam Van Lake.
Macau Golf Open - 23rd - 26th October
It has been confirmed that one of the most prominent annual sports events in Macau, the Macau Golf Open will be held again this October. The tournament will be hosted by the Macau Golf & Country Club in Coloane and organised by the board and the Golf Association of Macau. The event has been given approval by the Asian Tour, the principal professional golf tour for men in Asia.
Twitter: For further updates on what to see and do in Macau and for the latest news and insights on this destination, please now follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/MacauUK
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For further media information and images contact:
Lucy Mayes, Macau Government Tourist Office – UK & Ireland Representative
T: +44 (0) 845 498 9985 / 07813 303388
About the Macau Government Tourist Office:
The Macau Government Tourist Office is the tourism development arm of the government of the Macau SAR (Special Administrative Region) dedicated to promoting Macau as a preferred destination and co-ordinating related activities and services within the local tourism industry.
