The Macau Central and Southern District Industry and Commerce Federation hosted the opening ceremony of its four-day carnival at the Macao Science Centre (MSC) in Nape yesterday.
The carnival, sponsored by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), is called “2026 Central and Southern District Waterfront Exploration Carnival”.
Manuel Iok Pui Ferreira, director of the federation, said in a speech that the carnival aligns with the government’s appropriate economic diversification strategy. With eight game booths and creative workshops, the event aims to promote the integration of science education and community economic development, Ferreira said.
According to a statement released during the ceremony, participants who complete the games will receive 10-pataca e-vouchers and tickets to the Macao Science Centre. Ferreira said that 3,000 e-vouchers are available.
The carnival is intended to channel tourists, including foreign and family visitors, to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the peninsula’s central and southern districts, injecting new vitality into the old city centre.
The statement added that the e-vouchers can be used at designated businesses with a minimum spending of 20 patacas per voucher. While the e-voucher collection period ends this Sunday, the vouchers remain valid until July 19. The carnival also comes to an end on Sunday, taking place from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.
MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony that tourist numbers in May and June saw a slight slowdown. This, she said, was due to the school exam season, rising fuel prices, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup; however, Senna Fernandes said she expects a rebound this and next month.
She noted that MGTO has been promoting Macau in various markets and has partnered with payment platforms to launch special offers aimed at attracting visitors. In the future, the office will strengthen coordination with Shenzhen and Guangzhou airports to promote multi-destination itineraries, she said.
In response to enquiries regarding the proposal to streamline the government’s administrative system for licensing or granting permits for paid photography and filming services, she said the aim was to promote the healthy development of the industry through appropriate regulations while responding to the needs of emerging tourism models.
According to Monday’s report by the Post, the government launched a 45-day public consultation on Monday about its proposal to streamline its administrative system for licensing or granting permits for various types of businesses.
The government proposes to launch a new registration system for businesses where individuals provide paid photography and filming services at tourist attractions, a type of business currently not subject to any official regulations. The document proposes that only local residents will be eligible to register to run this type of photo-taking and filming businesses, with the aim of preventing non-locals’ illegal provision of such services.
Macau Central and Southern District Industry and Commerce Federation Director Manuel Iok Pui Ferreira addresses yesterday’s opening ceremony at Macao Science Centre (MSC) in Nape.
Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes speaks to reporters at Macao Science Centre (MSC) in Nape yesterday. – Photos: Armindo Neves
