Macau is so hot on Australia's leisure and business travel list that arrivals into the Asian centre from Down Under have risen by almost 50 per cent this year.

The dramatic increase for the first eight months of 2008 follows last year's significant increase that resulted in a record 120,000 making the journey across the Pacific to Macau.

But while the figures are promising, the Macau Government Tourist Office in Australia is to stage five days of events in the heart of Sydney to enhance Macau's image as a world class travel destination and further increase travel numbers.

The party-like event, to be held in Martin Place from September 22-26, will showcase the thriving Asian city's heritage and its many festivals to 100,000 Sydneysiders who use the pedestrian strip as a major thoroughfare each day.

The event has been billed Experience Macau – the City of Festivals and Events and will feature reproductions of the Taipa Houses Museum, the A-Ma Temple and the famous Ruins of St Paul's to help portray the city's vibrancy via colourful displays.

Roving performers and artists will also create a highly festive atmosphere, evoking the senses for consumers to learn more about Macau.

Attention will also be made to Viva Macau's direct flights from Sydney, and the easy access Australians have from its largest city.

With the supporting team of five from head office, led by Alice Martins Coelho, head of the Publicity and Production Division, the Macau Government Tourist Office in Sydney will host a trade function, named Macau - Another Dimension, on Monday, September 22, at the prestigious Waters Edge Restaurant by Sydney Harbour.

Its objective will be to generate wider awareness and understanding of Macau of the thriving centre's uniqueness, heritage, culture and the latest developments which are elevating it as a major tourist destination. The dinner had around 150 guests, including representatives from the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China, China National Tourism Office, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Casa de Macau, Viva Macau, Cathay Pacific Airways, Qantas Airways, Flight Centre, among others.