World Tourism Day celebrated with various activities

World Tourism Day was once more celebrated in Macau with various activities, from greeting the Lucky Tourist, to the traditional Tray Race and a celebratory dinner.

Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) officials arrived at the Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal this morning to present welcome souvenirs to the “Lucky Tourist” on World Tourism Day, while more souvenirs were distributed to visitors at MGTO’s Tourist Information counters throughout the day. The “Lucky Tourists” this year were a married couple, surnamed Arakawa, from Japan who are staying one night for their first vacation in Macau.

The celebrations followed by the traditional Tray Race. Organized by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) as part of the day’s celebrations, the race  attracted a total of 160 participants who were categorized according to gender to represent over 20 local hotels and restaurants. The fastest tray racer was female – Wu Min Yi (Future Bright Group), while the winner of the male section was He Fuxing (Wynn Palace). Each received prize money of MOP3,888.
This year, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) announced the theme of World Tourism Day to be “Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development”. According to a statement by MGTO, “in Macau, tourism contributes not only as a powerful driver for moderate economic diversification but also as a major force that leads to improvement in the quality of local people’s lives.”