“New opportunities to diversify”
Macau has been added to the Creative Cities Network of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. In 2016 the city applied for recognition of a cultural activity, and has been listed as a destination where “gastronomy” is an expression of culture.
GGRAsia reports that Macau was among 64 cities accepted for special recognition in different categories. The designation of Macau as a member city will “bring new opportunities for the city to diversify the economy, with gastronomy as a driver to preserve Macau’s cultural identity,” said a statement from the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture.
Andrew Klebanow, senior partner of Global Market Advisor LLC, said the designation “will further enhance Macau’s stature as a world-recognized dining destination and further help position the city as place that offers far more than gaming and sightseeing.”
According to Macau’s Statistics and Census Service, visitors spent on average MOP355 (US$44.18) per person on food and drink in 2016, or 20.9 percent of the total per-capita spend. The Macau government has a non-gaming revenue target for the casino industry of 9 percent per year.
