Macau to launch four brand new walking routes

The Macau Government Tourist Office launched four new walking tour routes recently, taking the total number walking tour routes available in the Special Administrative Area up to eight.

Since the first four travel routes launched on Sep 27 2013 with the aim of showing the special characteristics of various communities in Macau to tourists, the public have given their various suggestions for the community tourism development of Macau. The Office conducted a public opinion poll in Macau communities in 2014. According to various suggestions from the survey, the Office launched eight walking tour routes.

To further promote its eight walking tours, the Macau Government Tourist Office has already printed exquisite guide books which cover the introduction of the eight travel routes and information on scenic areas, catering, transportation, shopping, art performances and public facilities. The guide books, written in both complex and simplified Chinese, are available for people to pick up at travel inquiry offices and hotels. Tourists can also download a digital guide book from the Macao tourism website at www.macautourism.gov.mo.

The office plans innovative ways to promote its walking routes in future, with the help of a Wechat platform, ad light boxes and television commercials for further promotion and Android and IOS mobile applications.

The Macau Government Tourist Office plans to arrange art performances in scenic areas along the walking tour routes on weekends, which will highlight local characteristics. It will also work with organizations to provide tourism activities in communities, make the communities more attractive and enable tourists to explore the charms of different living areas whilst experiencing local customs.

One travel agency worker in Macau said that "the small area of Macau makes it an ideal place for a walking tour. However, there are still many places unfortunately unknown to people in Macao. Hence, while developing local walking tour routes, Macau should also further harness its tourist resources to create more business opportunities."

The launching of the eight walking tour routes is an important project as part of the themed plan, "Step Out, Experience Macau's Communities", which aims to promote tourism development in living communities, drive industrial development and to contribute to a diverse economic development. The Macau Government Tourist Office will also work with different ministries and departments to improve signage for tourists and living area environments to benefit locals.