Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong told reporters yesterday at Fisherman’s Wharf that the “Zape Taste Jam” market had attracted 25,000 eventgoers in its first two days.
According to an MGTO statement on Friday, the “ZAPE Taste Jam” event, co-organised by MGTO and the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau, officially opened earlier that day. The event is centred around the theme “Taste the Streets Food Truck Jam” and brings together local merchants and performance troupes to create a 10-day community-based gastronomic experience.
This market, the statement said, features food trucks, culinary, cultural and creative booths, and interactive games, making full use of Zape district’s urban space. By integrating local community characteristics, the initiative aims to attract eventgoers – both locals and tourists – to explore and consume in the area, promoting neighbourhood businesses and boosting tourism and the night-time economy.
A pharmacy owner surnamed Wong told the Post that although the government’s food festival attracted 25,000 visitors in just two days, the surrounding shops saw no tangible benefits. During the event, street lights were turned off when the festival closed at 10 p.m. for the day, leaving the area poorly lit at night and further hurting late-night business opportunities. His pharmacy routinely stays open until 3 a.m. He said that the 10-day event period was too short and failed to effectively boost consumption, suggesting that inviting high-profile performers could draw larger crowds, while social media promotions could also enhance the outreach.
Wong noted that night business after 10 p.m. was currently even slower than usual, as visitors focused solely on the festival and ignored neighbouring stores. He urged the government to streamline long-term economic support measures to ensure broader commercial benefits.
A noodle shop (麵店) owner surnamed Choi told the Post that her little eatery is struggling due to its location, which isn’t easy to notice, with only a few tourists and minimal patronage from local residents. Despite staying open until 3 a.m., foot traffic remains low as the nearby “ZAPE Taste Jam” closes “too early”. While Choi said she appreciates the government’s economic initiative, she admitted seeing little direct benefit, adding the hoped for lower rents and taxes to ease operational pressures.
Zape, the neighbourhood’s official name, is the Portuguese acronym for Outer Harbour Land Reclamation Zone.
Eventgoers visit the “ZAPE Taste Jam” 10-day market in Zape yesterday. – Photo: Armindo Neves
