Integrated resort (IR) operator Sands China said in a statement on Wednesday that its 2024 Sands Shopping Carnival drew a record-breaking 120,000 visits during its four-day run at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo.
The carnival ran from July 18 to 21.
Debuting in 2020, the recent carnival marked its fifth edition, continuing to offer a free business platform for local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Sands retailers, according to the statement. The carnival has drawn over 540,000 visitors since its debut.
The statement underlined that the recent carnival had over 580 booths across nine exhibition zones, with 325 of the booths dedicated to local SME suppliers. The carnival also featured a selection of 1-pataca products daily throughout its run, along with extensive discounts of up to 90 percent off for international brands.
Moreover, Sands Cares Ambassadors were on site to accompany members of community groups including members of the Caritas Macau Fountain of Love and Joy Integrated Family Service Centre as well as parents and children from the Macau Child Development Association to enjoy the event’s various activities, according to the statement. The popular food-prep and decorating activity led by Sands China’s F&B team also drew over 530 participants this year.
The statement added that four social enterprises that provide vocational training for their service users sold food and drinks in the carnival’s food court. Moreover, 10 community organisations ran booths at the “Macao Cultural and Creative zone”. “The carnival was an opportunity for these projects to gain exposure in the local commercial market and create job opportunities for their members”, according to the statement.
Macau Special Olympics (MSO) members had the chance to role-play as news reporters and editors, during which they did interviews, photography, and video-shooting throughout the carnival, the statement said.
The statement added that winners for the ICBC ePay Presents: National Essence: Hanfu Styling Contest and Bank of Communications Presents: Rising Stars: 2024 Kids Talent Showdown were also crowned, noting that both attracted participants from the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Hanfu (“Han clothing”) refers to the traditional styles of clothing that have been worn by the Han Chinese since the 2nd millennium BCE.
Local NGO Green Future and a group of Sands ECO360 Ambassadors also demonstrated effective methods for recycling cardboard, plastic and metal to exhibitors, while items such as used laundry baskets and weighing scales were given away to visitors with any purchase at a dedicated counter during the carnival, according to the statement.
This undated handout photo provided by Sands China on Wednesday shows visitors at booths at the four-day “2024 Sands Shopping Carnival” at The Venetian Macao in Cotai.
