Since its opening in 2021, the Macau Grand Prix (MGP) Museum has welcomed over 120,000 visitors, Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Acting Director Cheng Wai Tong told the media yesterday, adding that it currently averages more than 8,000 visitors a month.
According to Cheng, as of yesterday, the museum had recorded more than 46,000 visits this year.
An MGTO statement yesterday noted that between June 1 last year and May 31 this year, the museum logged a total of 66,244 visitors, a rise of 32 percent compared to the first year after its inauguration, among whom 9,179 joined the guided tour services for schools, associations and the general public, comprising 798 groups. The statement added that between January and May this year, the monthly average of visitors almost doubled compared to the monthly average of the same period last year, thanks to the lifting of COVID-19-related travel restrictions.
The museum, which was put into trial operation in March 2021, officially opened on June 1 of the same year.
Celebrating the museum’s second anniversary since its reopening after refurbishment on International Children’s Day, MGTO has rolled out a raft of special offers and debuted two new attractions, namely two Motorcycle Racing Simulators and an omnidirectional “360 video” booth, through which visitors can enjoy the virtual experience of motorcycle racing on the Guia Circuit and have their videos taken with fun props.
Cheng said that the “360 video” booth will only be there until Sunday, adding that MGTO will consider officially launching the facility at the museum if it is well received.
In celebration of its second anniversary, the museum in Zape opened to the public with free admission yesterday.
Cheng said that during the 70th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix this year, the museum may be open again for free.
The museum is open for free every year on International Museum Day and the museum’s anniversary which are commemorated on May 18 and June 1 respectively, according to Cheng.
Cheng made the remarks while attending the museum’s celebratory activity.
Cheng underlined that his office will pay close attention to the application of new technologies, adding that more features will be added to the museum in the near future, hoping to enhance visitors’ experience there.
With the combined effects of the cancellation of COVID-19 travel restrictions and the increase in local tourism attractions, Cheng said he was confident that Macau’s tourism facilities at its integrated resorts and a wide range of activities, including sporting competitions, cultural performances and concerts, will attract more tourists to Macau and enhance the city’s tourism reputation.
Meanwhile, considering that the “Macao Treat” special offer targeting Taiwanese and foreign visitors in Hong Kong, in addition to Hong Kong residents, will end on June 30, Cheng underlined that such a promotional programme will not be relaunched in the short term, adding that being a tourist destination, MGTO hopes to grab tourists’ attention by the city’s attractions, instead of focusing on long-term special offers.
According to a separate MGTO statement yesterday, from January 13 to May 31, about 250,000 ferry and bus rides were provided in conjunction with special offers, with an estimated write-off of HK$37.34 million.
Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Acting Director Cheng Wai Tong poses astride one of the two new Motorcycle Racing Simulators while attending yesterday’s activities celebrating the second anniversary of the reopening of the Macau Grand Prix (MGP) Museum in Zape. – Photo: Yuki Lei
