All of us have heard of Macau and some of you have probably been there. But, as the former Marketing Consultant for the Macau Government Tourist Office here in Manila, I know a little bit more about this city tagged as the “Las Vegas of Asia.”
It is a Special Administrative Region of China, meaning, that although it belongs to China, it has its own government. This former Portuguese territory is located just across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong and its center of gravity, where the giant casinos and malls are found, is the area where the islands of Coloane and Taipa meet, the CoTai Strip.
When people visit Macau, their first destination is the Ruins of St. Paul’s, a 17th-century baroque Catholic Church dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle. Built by the Jesuits, it used to be one of the largest churches in Asia until it was destroyed by a fire that took place during a typhoon in 1835. Only the façade of the church remains on a small hill, accessible through 68 stone steps.
The other popular attraction of the city is the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center. The tower is 338 meters from the ground, which means that both the Observation Deck and the Chinese Restaurant on top offer a 360-degree breathtaking view of the city and neighboring mainland China. An exciting feature of this tower is its elevator which shoots up from the ground all the way to the top in only 60 seconds.
Of course, visitors also enjoy Macanese cuisine which is a perfect blend of Cantonese and Portuguese flavors and even those “hole-in-the-wall” dining places around the city offer superb specialties making it easy for tourists to save on expenses. Tracing its culinary history, many Macanese dishes resulted from the spice blends that Portuguese sailors used, trying to duplicate their favorite European dishes but using Chinese ingredients and seasonings.
Not too long ago, Melco Resorts and Entertainment hosted the Manila stop of its “Glow Your Way To Macau” Roadshow which highlights the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) facilities of its de luxe properties in Macau – Altira, City of Dreams and Studio City. MICE, as you know, is every country’s tourism target market because of its being a high-yield sector. As a way of attracting more market sources towards pushing for the city’s sustained economic growth, the ultra-modern and functionally designed MICE facilities of these properties took center stage in the roadshow.
My friend, Kevin Benning, Senior Vice-President of Melco and General Manager of Studio City, who was seated right next to me at the dinner table, also clued me in excitedly on their forthcoming City of Dreams Mediterranean in Cyprus. I also had the chance to chat with Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), who expressed her satisfaction over the continuously growing traffic in both directions, between the Philippines and Macao.
Of course, Melco found the most effective way to promote its Macau facilities by highlighting the delectable culinary offerings of its dining outlets. Thus, its culinary team was brought in to treat us, guests, to a lavish Michelin-inspired six-course feast: Chilled Alaskan King Crab for starters, the signature dish of Studio City’s Pearl Dragon; Deep Fried Scallop of Jade Dragon in City of Dreams Macau; Roasted Fresh Cod with Aged Mandarin Peel and Black Beans, a specialty of Pearl Dragon in Studio City; Slow Cooked Green Lip Abalone and Wagyu Beef Cheek with Truffle, followed by Hot and Sour Soup with Red Prawn, both specialties from Jade Dragon; and, of course, my favorite part of the dinner is always the dessert—this one was Almond Crème Brulee with Milk Tea Ice Cream from City of Dreams
This grand culinary feast not only highlighted superb Macanese cuisine but also bannered the city’s UNESCO designation as a Creative City of Gastronomy. With this Roadshow event, Melco Resorts and Entertainment definitely succeeded in underscoring all of its properties’ commitment to providing the best gastronomic offerings, excellent accommodations, and exceptional business facilities.
Also announced at the event was the establishment of Melco’s first sales office in the Philippines at City of Dreams Manila, showcasing the Company’s unwavering commitment to promoting Macau as a global hub for both leisure and business travelers.
For inquiries, Carlo Marted Banaag, Manager- MICE Sales, Destination Sales and Macao Regional Sales Office Representative, can be reached through +632 8691 8983 or +63917 858 6654 or via email CarloMartedBanaag@cod-manila.com.
More information on Melco Resorts and Entertainment may be obtained from info@melco-resorts.com or +853 8868 6688.
YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE:
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