With a dedication to promoting the traditional Chinese culture, MGM regularly organizes diverse programs to increase team members’ affinity with the Nation and Macau and steer them to take pride in Chinese culture. Supported by Macao Government Tourism Office, MGM recently collaborated with Macao Institute for Tourism Studies and Oral History Association of Macao to hold the “MGM National Education Series Seminar – Embracing Chinese Cultural Heritage in Macau”. The seminar came with a session to celebrate the presentation of Best Practice Award to eLearning program “Introductory Series of Macao History & Culture” by HR Tech China, a leading HR Technology Service Platform in China. A joint project of MGM, Macao Government Tourism Office and Oral History Association of Macao, the eLearning program enables tourism industry practitioners to gain more knowledge about the city’s history. More than 10,000 people have signed up for the program since it was launched last year.

Guest speaker Cora Wong, Acting Vice-Director of School of Continuing Education & Assistant Professor of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Management of Macao Institute for Tourism Studies, Chief Supervisor of Oral History Association of Macao, President of Docents Association of Cultural Tourism of Macao, talked about traditional Chinese culture and folklore of Macau at the seminar. Guests of honor included Sun Yaohua, Director Level Assistant of the Department of Economic Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Cheng Wai Tong, Deputy Director of Macao Government Tourism Office; Serene Chan, Head of the Research and Investigation Department of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau; Connie Loi, Vice President of Macao Institute for Tourism Studies; Diamantina Rosario Coimbra, Acting Vice President of Macao Institute for Tourism Studies; Lei Ip Fei, Honorary President of Oral History Association of Macao & Vice President of Docents Association of Cultural Tourism of Macao; Kenneth Feng, President, Chief Strategic & Financial Officer of MGM; and Wendy Yu, Executive Vice President of Human Resources of MGM. The event was participated by more than 200 MGM team members plus representatives from Oral History Association of Macao and organizations in support of cultural tourism.

Cora Wong told the audience that traditional Chinese culture is rich and diverse, so it can perpetually connect Chinese people from different parts of the world. With its origins in China, Macau shares a common inheritance of traditional Chinese culture. This collection of national cultural symbols are not only the roots of Macau but also part of people’s daily life. Such linkage can be manifested by the worship of Chinese sea goddess Mazu, a tradition inextricably tied to the history of Macau. However, Cora Wong also reminded that some of the folklore does not fully match historical facts. She cited “Macau”, the city’s name in Portuguese, as an example. The name is said to have its origin in Mazu over the years, but recorded history revealed that ‘Macau’ has a closer association with the city’s original name – A Ma Gao (Port of A-ma). By sharing these interesting stories, Cora Wong allowed the audience to realize the importance of delving into historical facts, which is a key to impeccably telling the great story of Macau.

Sam Fong, a team member who took part in the seminar, said, “Professor Wong’s remarks come with verified historical reference, which enhanced my understanding of Macau’s historical background as well as its social and cultural developments. This is also the first time I heard about some of the rarely told stories, including how fishermen, government officials and merchants perceived Mazu as a deity to ensure safety on the sea in the old days. I look forward to taking part in the future seminars on Macau’s history and culture, which are set to boost our capability to give tourists a fuller picture of Macau and allow us to better promote Chinese culture.”

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About MGM

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions/subconcessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles our presence in Macau. 

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities include the MGM Art Space, dedicating over 5,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.

MGM COTAI is the latest integrated resort of MGM in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, Asia’s first dynamic theater, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.

MGM China Holdings Limited is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM), one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage.    

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Jessie Kuan

Director of Public Relations

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3412

Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo

Juliana Kung                                   

Assistant Director of Public Relations

MGM  

Tel: (853) 8806 3424

Email: julianakung@mgm.mo