The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has organised a market named “ZAPE Taste Jam” in partnership with the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau, aiming to inject new vitality into the community economy and tourism of the Outer Harbour Land Reclamation Zone (generally known as Zape – its Portuguese acronym), according to a statement released by MGTO yesterday.
According to the statement, the market, themed “Taste the Streets Food Truck Jam”, aims to recreate Macau’s vibrant food scene of Southeast Asian aroma and diverse culinary delights, brimming with the glamour of local communities and gastronomic culture. Bringing together various local businesses, the market will feature six food and distinctive trucks as well as over 30 stalls.
Macau’s population includes tens of thousands of returned overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia and their locally-born descendants.
The market, the statement said, will be an amalgam of delicacies from Zape, Southeast Asian delights, snacks and drinks, coffee, alcoholic beverages, culture and creativity as well as games. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a palette of “tourism + gastronomy + spending” experiences at the market set to boost the flow of people and consumption in the district, the statement said.
MGTO yesterday held a special event for journalists and KOLs for on-site interviews and reporting to help promote the “ZAPE Taste Jam” project.
KOL stands for “key opinion leader”.
The owner of NAGASAKI COFFEE, surnamed Liu, told reporters that he has joined the market to showcase his house-roasted beans and “God of Fortune”-branded products. Liu said he aims to diversify his customer base by attracting tourists, as his main shop primarily serves locals.
The owner of Macau SO-WHISK Ltd., surnamed Lei, said that his company will launch signature cocktails and whiskies at the market, paired with KOLs, to attract tourists. Capitalising on Zape’s nighttime foot traffic, the offerings will feature customised cup labels and a cartoon panda IP to create distinctive Macau-themed experiences, he said.
Lei also said that, in order to maximise impact, he urged the government to enhance district-wide promotions leveraging foot traffic from nearby casinos to boost market vitality. “Converting [“ZAPE Taste Jam”] market visitors to regular café patrons would create a win-win,” he added.
“ZAPE Taste Jam” market will be held at Zape’s Rua de Cantão and Rua de Xangai, starting tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. It will be held daily from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Sunday, August 24.
This photo taken yesterday evening shows the stalls set up by local creative brands CHILLIN FAMILY, HO SIO CHONG SHOP, Yunana & Meow and Osanna Design Workshop for the “ZAPE Taste Jam” market starting tomorrow.
Pedestrians are walking yesterday near a snapshot spot set up at the government-initiated, 10-day “ZAPE Taste Jam” market slated to start tomorrow. – Photo: Armindo Neves
