Tap Seac Craft Market draws strong turnout as vendors point to business opportunities

[Photo: Ricaela Diputado]

Vendors at the Tap Seac Craft Market say strong crowds, repeat customers, and growing business opportunities are key highlights of this year’s spring edition, which opened last week at Tap Seac Square and brings together more than 200 creative and handicraft stalls from Macau and across Asia.

Participants from Thailand, Macau, and other regional markets said the event has become an important platform not only for sales but also for building customer loyalty and testing products in a busy, centralized marketplace that continues through May 3.

Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), the market runs for two consecutive weeks –April 23 to 26  and April 30 to May 3 – featuring a rotating lineup of exhibitors.

According to Ho Hong Pan, head of the department for promoting cultural and creative industries of the IC, each week features 220 different booths, for a total of 440 participating vendors.

“This event is a brand event in Macau, a cultural and creative brand event,” Ho told the press on the sidelines of the event.

“Through this event, we hope to attract more people to pay attention to Macau’s cultural and creative industries. We also hope that our local cultural and creative friends can move their products more toward marketization and industrialization.”

New focus on business networking

This year’s market introduces networking and collaboration opportunities with space curators and operators – a new addition aimed at helping vendors find commercial pathways beyond the weekend bazaar.

“We hope to help our cultural and creative industry friends further market their products,” Ho said. “Through these exchanges and collaborations, we hope that during their conversations and interactions, they can discover more cooperation opportunities and market trends. We also hope that their products or works can reach more places and be known by more people.”

Over 70 workshops with international instructors

Thiys year’s event features more than 70 creative handicraft workshops, led by instructors from Macau, mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan, as well as a Danish tutor.

“Creative workshop sessions will be led by instructors from Macau, mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the Taiwan region, as well as a Danish tutor, guiding our citizens to experience the joy of creation,” said Cheang Kai Meng, vice president of the IC, at the opening ceremony.

Music performances by singers from Macau, mainland China, and Hong Kong will also take place on stage throughout the two weeks.

Regional and international participation

Vendors hail from Macau, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Korea, showcasing original products including daily necessities, clothing and accessories, handicrafts, and natural handmade goods.

Among the returnees is Klay, a home fragrance brand from Chiang Mai, Thailand, participating for the second time. The brand specializes in ceramic diffusers – a craft rooted in northern Thai ceramic traditions.

“Last time we joined, the event was really crowded and busy, so we hope that this year is going to be the same,” said Wartcha of Klay. “We hope that we don’t need to bring anything back to Thailand.”

Taron of Klay added, “Some previous customers come back to us and buy a few more to stock for the next year.”

Wartcha recalled the warm reception from local customers last year, stating, “Not only did the customers come to buy our stuff, but they came and bought some food and drinks for us as well. They brought some friends to buy more. Last year we sold out.”

Local craftsmanship on display

Macau-born vendor Olinda Amaral, owner of Olly’s Handmade, is participating in the market for at least the sixth or seventh time. She sells crochet pieces – a traditional art she learned from her mother.

“My mom taught me the basic things of crochet, but I improved it and tried to do some dolls and some different things,” Amaral said. “It’s a work, it’s art that takes a long time to do one piece. If you order a piece, you won’t get it immediately. You have to wait for a while because it takes time to make.”

Amaral, who described herself as Macanese – born in Macau with parents from India and Portuguese nationality – said she is not worried about the rainy weather affecting attendance.

“People are really coming and checking things because this is a different thing that happens in Macau,” she said. “All the shops are in the same place. It’s very nice and convenient and a happy place. I’m not worried about the rain because if people really want to come, they can come.”

A platform for emerging brands

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Cheang highlighted the market’s role in Macau’s creative economy over the years.

“Since its inception, the Tap Seac Craft Market has provided a valuable platform for Macau’s emerging cultural and creative brands to test and sell their products,” Cheang said.

“Along with a series of supportive measures such as industry seminars and organized participation in exhibitions, it has successfully incubated many Macau cultural and creative brands, effectively promoting the market-oriented development of cultural and creative products.”

He also announced that brand matchmaking events would be held during the market, describing them as “business-expansion oriented, building a communication platform to support the charm of cultural creativity and local originality, injecting momentum into the sustainable development of Macau’s cultural and creative industry.”