The 2024 Sands Shopping Carnival kicked off yesterday afternoon at The Venetian Macao, with booths at the four-day event offering a raft of products and deals until Sunday.
This year marks the annual carnival’s 5th anniversary. Offering free business platforms to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Sands retailers, this year’s carnival comprises over 580 booths offering over 260,000 products, while there are nine exhibition zones across 21,000 square metres.
In his speech, Sands China Executive Vice Chairman Wilfred Wong Ying-wai said that over the five years that the carnival has been held, the company “has maintained a steadfast partnership with the Macau SAR Government, the Macao Chamber of Commerce, and other supporting entities, providing relentless support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through this platform without seeking any financial return. Together, we have successfully created nearly 2,800 exhibition booths over the years”.
Wong added that the last four carnivals attracted visitations surpassing 420,000 in total. This year’s event saw an “overwhelming response since booth registration opened”, with the company increasing the number of SME booths to 325.
Moreover, Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes also addressed the event, during which she noted: “In the first quarter of this year, 48 percent of [non-gaming] visitor expenditure in Macau was dedicated to shopping, which constituted the largest category of tourism expenditure, followed by accommodation and dining”.
“Delivering exceptional shopping experiences is therefore crucial for enhancing the overall travel experience of tourists”, she added.
Meanwhile, speaking with reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s opening ceremony, Senna Fernandes noted that the average number of tourists entering Macau this month were better than in June and by organising events such as Light Up Macau and the International Fireworks Display Contest, it would be possible to exceed the 33 million visitor arrival target at the end of the year.
Moreover, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland, MGTO is also planning to hold a firework display on December 20, according to the veteran tourism chief.
Sands China Executive Vice Chairman Wilfred Wong Ying-wai (left, front) converses with Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes during yesterday’s tour of the 2024 Sands Shopping Carnival.
Shoppers have a gander at the offerings at the 2024 Sands Shopping Carnival. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
