Organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the “2026 International Cities of Gastronomy Fest, Macao” (the “Fest”) culminated in success on 29 March. Preliminary figures indicate that the event engaged about 142,000 participants. The total count of impressions exceeded 16 million on MGTO’s social media platforms, showcasing Macao’s unique glamour of “tourism + gastronomy + events”. The Fest gathered 38 Creative Cities of Gastronomy from 22 countries and 10 Creative Cities in other fields, delivering Macao’s impact as an international exchange platform and reinforcing the city’s status as a world centre of tourism and leisure.

The Fest features “main venue + community venue” for the first time

Visitors and residents express great satisfaction with event overall

Through questionnaires and application of the big data, MGTO collected opinions from residents and visitors to assess the event’s impact and optimize future arrangements. Preliminary survey findings indicate that both interviewed residents and visitors expressed satisfaction with the event overall this year.

The Fest was held from 20 to 29 March this year with a strong line-up of participating cities surpassing the past editions. 38 UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy from 22 countries worldwide joined the ten-day event along with ten Creative Cities from the other fields of Music, Film, Literature, Crafts and Folk Art, Media Arts as well as Design. The event presented five major highlights including the “International Gastronomy Promenade”, “City of Gastronomy Showcase” and “International Gastronomy Forum, Macao”, as well as two new debuts — the “World Wines Lounge” and “Global Goodies Market”. The event was held at both the main venue and community venue for the first time. Set at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, the main venue provided about 800 dining seats. Meanwhile, various gastronomy-related commodities and creative products were on sale at the community venue, along with Macao Classic Brands and coffee-themed booths, as well as a beverage art showcase, which altogether enriched the community scene for consumers. A total of 314 sessions of artistic performances and interactive moments took place at the main venue and community venue, where themed decorative installations were set up for visitors’ interactive experience.

Diverse promotions online and offline

Top international creator spotlights destination appeal from witty angles

MGTO unfolded a wide array of online and offline promotions to raise the event’s international visibility. Besides local mainstream media, outdoor advertisements and bus exterior advertisements, MGTO also spotlighted the event extensively across its 28 official platforms (total count of impressions exceeded 16 million) on social media. In addition, collaborative promotions were conducted together with Amap, Hong Kong media and various online platforms. UN Tourism’s Ambassador and social media creator with the most followers (over 160 million) on TikTok in the world, Khaby Lame, attended the Fest’s opening and tasted signature delicacies from different cities, besides meeting spectators for interactive and photo moments. Through his profound journey of colorful “tourism +”, Khaby Lame filmed videos to share Macao’s vibrant dynamic with the world from his uniquely witty angles, elevating Macao’s international profile and appeal.

International Forum distills collective wisdom and fosters exchange across fields

Convening on 23 March under the theme of “Creative Fusion: Reimagining Gastronomy Beyond the Plate”, the“International Gastronomy Forum, Macao” engaged about 280 participants including representatives of various Creative Cities of Gastronomy and other fields, representatives of international organizations, scholars and experts from worldwide, local tourism and culinary professionals as well as members of the public. The Chinese Creative Showcase was held at the Forum as a new highlight, bringing together seven Creative Cities from the Chinese mainland for collaboration between gastronomy and other creative fields.

As arranged by MGTO, the Exchange Meeting for UCCN Members and the Subnetwork Meeting for Creative Cities of Gastronomy convened on the day of the Forum, giving play to Macao’s bridging role as an international exchange platform.

Outstanding young chefs showcase creativity

At the main venue, the International Gastronomy Promenade encompassed 100 food booths which served a global feast of special delicacies from Chinese mainland cities, overseas cities from South and North America, Africa and Asia, as well as Macao. Renowned chefs from across the globe presented culinary skills at the City of Gastronomy Showcase. Selected to enter the Young Chefs Programme organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, two young chefs working in Macao and one South-African chef jointly demonstrated the new generation’s culinary creativity as well. A total of 2,650 food samples were offered at the 53 sessions of the City of Gastronomy Showcase. The World Wines Lounge, on the other hand, presented a variety of liquor products for visitors to taste with culinary delights at adjacent food booths, offering a fusion of wine and gourmet.

In support of the implementation of the “1 + 4” development strategy for adequate economic diversification, the “2026 International Cities of Gastronomy Fest, Macao” leveraged gastronomy as a bridge, radiated Macao’s strengths as an international exchange platform and built Macao’s reputation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, joining hands with different sectors to invigorate the community economy and propel the sustainable development forward. MGTO will keep striving to spur innovative growth in tourism and other related sectors and reinforce Macao’s status as a world centre of tourism and leisure, marching towards the goals in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.