FOLLOWING last year’s launch of four Step Out, Experience Macau’s Communities walking tour routes, the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) will roll out four more itineraries this year.
After gathering feedback from visitors and local residents, the original four routes have also been enhanced and renamed in Phase 2, announced Charles Leong from MGTO’s representative office in Singapore at a recent trade event.
The walking tours take visitors to various attractions in the Macau Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane. The eight routes are Footsteps into the Historic Centre, An Experiment of Creativity, Crossroads of China and Portugal, A Legacy of Arts and Culture, Enchanting Stories of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, The Marriage of East and West in St Anthony’s Parish, Bygone Days of Taipa Village, and Nostalgia in Coloane.
In 2014, Singapore was among Macau’s top 10 source markets, growing 3.6 per cent and contributing 196,491 visitors.
Alan Ong, general manager (tour division) of New Shan Travel Service in Singapore, said: “Singaporeans generally go for free-and-easy programmes with just the basics including transfers and a hop-on, hop-off city tour.
“Nevertheless, it’s helpful to know about the walking tours, which we can recommend to our customers when they ask what else they can do apart from visiting the casinos.”
Leong said a Macau sales mission is being organised in April for the Macau and Singapore trade.
Macau also introduced the Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme last year, having qualified 86 catering businesses for the Star Merchant Award. More businesses are expected to join the list this year.
