The online global voting on Macau’s eight new scenic spots will start today, as the event’s organiser, the Chinese Cultural Exchange Association (CCEA), launched the voting website and social media platforms Monday.
During a press conference at the Macau Science Centre, CCEA Chairman Lei Pui Lam said that the new eight scenic spots were a gift to Macau, which this year marks the 20th anniversary of its return to the motherland.
Lei said that getting the public to jointly select eight new scenic spots represents progress and a new landscape.
“By creating a new era, new value and new brand of ‘Macau New Eight Scenic Spots’ as well as outlining the image of Macau as a cultural city and telling stories of Macau, it helps Macau to develop into a world tourism and leisure centre,” Lei said.
According to Lei, preparation for the project began in August last year and a “nomination committee of experts”, including representatives from the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) selected 20 new scenic spots out of about 60 proposed spots based on their uniqueness, scenery, proportionality and continuity.
Voting for the 20 shortlisted spots, which include the Golden Lotus Square, Rua do Cunha and Long Chao Kok, is now open to anyone aged at least 12 at www.new8spots.org.mo until February 28.
The website is in traditional and simplified Chinese characters, English and Portuguese.
Lei pointed out that University of Macau (UM), despite being in Hengqin, is under Macau’s administration therefore it qualified for the nomination, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge also made it on to the list because Macau is part of it.
To encourage people to vote, the event has lucky draws, with prizes valued at over 5 million patacas.
The original “Macau Eight Scenic Spots” were selected by eight local associations in 1992.
The current eight scenic spots are the Guia Fortress/Guia Lighthouse, the Governador Nobre de Carvalho Bridge/Friendship Bridge, A-Ma Temple, Kun Iam Temple, St Paul’s Ruins/Fortress Hill (Monte Fort), Lou Lim Ieoc Garden, Taipa Houses-Museum, and Hac Sa Beach.
The group said that the eight new scenic spots would be announced in March or April.
