Behind Macau's Razzle Dazzle
By Mikee dela Cruz
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MACAU GOVERNMENT TOURIST OFFICE
PUBLISHED: JANUARY 2009

FAMED GOODS. The egg tarts of Macau - one of the remaining influences of the Portuguese in the country they once occupied - continue to be among the most delectable offerings of the place.

MACAU IN MOTION. From the famed casions (second from top) to the grand prix (top photo) and the dog races (above photo), Macau has numerous venues and activities worth checking.

Fourthly, for the sports-minded, Macau SAR’s Tung Ng or Dragon Boat Festival (usually in May or in June), and the Macau Grand Prix (in November) are the most popular events, proofs that the city, as far as hosting international sports events is concerned, is at par with, if not even better than, Western countries with the same sports events.

Fifthly, there’s the gambling, of course.  Talking about Macau SAR without discussing gambling is, well, dishonest.  After all, since 2002, Macau SAR’s economy has been on the upswing, growing by 10% in 2002, 14.2% in 2003, 28.6% in 2004, and 6.2% in 2005.  Mainly, this was because of the hike in taxes on gambling profits in 2002, which continues to generate up to 70% of government revenue. 

For the last 39 years, too, the casino industry has been controlled by the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau.  But in 2001, the monopoly was broken when casino licenses was offered to other casino operators, so that almost immediately, investors came in, including the MGM Grand Paradise, Wynn Resorts, Venetian Macau, Galaxy Casino, and PBL Diversoes.  By end-2006, the number of casinos is expected to reach 22, offering arguably the widest range of games that include baccarat, Black Jack, boule, roulette, fan-tan, and variations of the slot machine (locals call them “hungry tigers”).

And then, for the business-minded, there’s Macau SAR’s continuing boom, which bids well for those wanting to invest in it, Filipinos included.  Already, the likes of Chinoy, a Filipino-owned convenience store cum Internet café, are making a name as the only 24-hour establishment in the whole city – profitable especially since the city is really opening to globalization (much like China is), not to mention the growing number of Filipinos working there, and in nearby Hong Kong.

Industries worth venturing into – and are among the government’s priorities to support continued growth – include service (for influx of visitors), real estate and related industries (Filipinos are often hired when those from mainland China are not skilled enough to fill positions), and, yes, IT and telecommunications (such as the aforementioned Chinoy).

The attractions, of course, do not end here.  Among others, Macau SAR also has the International Music Festival (usually in September or October), a free-for-all festival that brings to these shores some of the world’s finest classical and contemporary performers; the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest (in September); and the Macau Golf Open Tournament (in May), one of the most prestigious gold tourneys in this part of the world.