The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) confirmed yesterday having received a complaint regarding a guest who was injured at Melco’s new water park, and MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes told reporters yesterday that the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) is in charge of licensing such facilities hence IAM officials are now following up on the incident.
Senna Fernandes made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Creative City Pavilion at the Macau Contemporary Art Centre – Navy Yard No.1 in Barra.
Senna Fernandes said that the facility itself is within the Municipal Affairs Bureau’s scope of responsibilities but since the water park is part of a hotel, her office is also looking into the matter. She said that since some of the hotel’s facilities are not operated by the hotel itself, she could not comment on the situation.
Senna Fernandes said she acknowledged that some complaints have been received as to whether there are hidden hazards at water parks or other non-gaming facilities, adding that she hoped that operators of those facilities could be more transparent about their disclaimers and hazards. She also pointed out that guests must also assume responsibility about assessing the potential risks of using these facilities and deciding whether they could safely handle the activities.
According to government-owned public broadcaster TDM’s report, Melco said that the water park went through a lot of safety assessments and has passed national and international safety guidelines, stressing that its staff check the facilities every day. The report said that after receiving the complaint, Melco has provided assistance to the affected guests, adding that after checking the facility, the company’s staff found no irregularities.
The report also said that the Municipal Affairs Bureau said that prior to opening the water park, other government entities and third-party organisations were engaged in the approval process. The report pointed out that the bureau has already contacted Melco and the water park’s operator to find out more about the situation.
The report noted that MGTO said that since 2020 it has received 13 complaints regarding various hotel facilities’ safety issues, pointing out that three of the complaints concern entertainment facilities’ safety, while the remaining 10 complaints concern injuries and accidents.
Art Macao: Creative City Pavilion
Meanwhile, yesterday was the opening ceremony for the very first “Creative City Pavilion” featured in the “Art Macao” event. According to a Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) statement provided at the ceremony yesterday, the exhibition “Macao: City of Gastronomy – Bon Appetit!” opens to the public starting today and runs until October 3. The statement said that admission is free and all are welcome to see the 15 pieces or sets or work by 16 artists, who each explore the interplay of “food” in relation to society and history.
According to the statement, there are three other exhibitions under the Creative City Pavilion – “Nanjing: City of Literature – Opening Up the Realm” until October 3, “Wuhan: City of Design – Empathy” and “Linz: City of Media Arts – The Art of Interface” – both will be open to the public until October 24.
For more information about Art Macao or its Creative City Pavilion, access the official website at www.artmacao.mo.
Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes talks to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s opening ceremony for the Creative City Pavilion at the Macau Contemporary Art Centre – Navy Yard No.1. Photo: Prisca Tang
