No visit to Macau is complete without a visit to Taipa Village, says Senior Marketing Manager of Taipa Village Destination Limited, Pamela Chan. To experience an authentic feel of Macau is the prevailing theme of the brand and concept that surrounds the magical Taipa Village. The ambiance of interesting architecture and a bustling retail and dining scene combined with the element of sustainable heritage makes the scenic location the ultimate lifestyle destination.
The formidable female who has been promoting the village sits down with Katya Maia for a chat and shares her personal feelings for the charming heritage district that continues to attract both local and international visitors.
Tell us how you started out in Taipa Village
I joined the company two years ago to focus on the Taipa Village area. Destination Limited is the leading promotion of the brand concept and has a made it a purpose to promote the unique location. It is an affiliate of Sniper Capital Limited, a real estate fund manager which has been leading the regeneration of Taipa Village for over a decade and is committed to supporting and promoting the area in collaboration with the Macau government, local businesses, and property owners. Our idea is to promote the scene as a perfect alternative to the city resources. We are close neighbors to the Cotai strip and we want to offer options to tourists to feel the real side of Macau.
What are your plans for the brand?
My plan, is aside from traditional dining we want to expand the location with more new and diverse attractions. The Art Space, for example, is a thriving location in the middle of the district. We also want to have more cultural activities like special tours for media and groups or local associations. We want to raise more awareness, to promote the history and culture to students, tourists and even local people so everyone can understand the significant essence of Taipa Village in the local identity. It’s also an ideal spot for photography shoots and even movie sets. It’s a culturally rich area and a magnificent site for taking photographs.
The general idea is to expand it more by holding cultural events, ongoing exhibitions and workshops to cater to tourists and locals. It’s not just a shopping and dining destination, they can stay longer and explore alternative activities. It’s a lifestyle district!
As a lifestyle district, what does Taipa Village offer to modern travelers?
For travelers and visitors, we have the advantage of accessibility to the area. We are supported by a comprehensive transport network. We have buses, car parks so we are accessible even to the local people. We have a variety of dining experiences from street food, to fine dining and casual dining. It’s within walking distance from the Cotai strip so it’s very convenient. We have iconic scenes such as temples, churches, and colorful places to visit and explore. There’s definitely a lot in store for the modern traveler. And with millennials growing the market, even a single window can be an outstanding image for all kinds of social media.
You used the idea of sustainable heritage. What is it and why is it important?
Sustainable heritage is what we want to promote in Taipa Village. We have cultural preservation in the form of infrastructure and we want to uphold the legacy of Portuguese architecture. There are a lot of beautiful buildings and we want to continue to preserve the facade and whatever we can retain. We shared these same values with the Macau government to try and focus on the non-gaming side of Macau.
Tell us about your personal favorites in Taipa Village
Art Space—because I like art very much and I paint in my personal time so it’s really close to my heart. I am a member of art associations, as well. I also like Tapas de Portugal and the ice cream shop nearby, Digreen. I love desserts. I was inspired by the owner who opened the business enhancing healthy lifestyles by offering low-fat, low-calorie snacks and treats. I also love it because it looks cozy and modern. I like the Cunha Bazaar selling local art and novelty items.
Describe a perfect day in Taipa Village
Stroll around in the morning because the sunlight offers great views of the Taipa-Houses museum. It’s really nice because of the extraordinary exhibitions. Come lunchtime, head to either Tapas de Portugal or Antonio’s for a lovely meal. Walk to the Art Space and graffiti wall. Grab a coffee at Fong da coffee shop. The coffee beans are really exquisite. I buy there every day. For dinner, choose from La Famiglia, Bella Taipa, and La Cesar—these restaurants are new and worth exploring. Then, just get lost in the streets, walk around and explore the shops and everything the area has to offer.
Taipa Village Rua do Cunha, Macau, www.taipavillagemacau.com
Taipa Village Art Space 10 Rua dos Clerigos, Taipa, +853 2857 6118, www.taipavillagemacau.com/art-space
Taipa-Houses Museum Avenida da Praia, Carmo Zone, Taipa, +853 8988 4000 / 2882 7527, www.icm.gov.mo/housesmuseum
