Sands Shopping Carnival attracts record crowds in Macao

Macao’s Venetian Cotai Expo played host to the annual Sands Shopping Carnival between 23 and 26 July, attracting nearly 160,000 visits over the four-day event. This year’s edition marked a record high in the carnival’s history, highlighting the growing significance of the consumer exhibition as a pillar of Macao’s economic diversification and tourism strategy.

Now in its seventh year, the Sands Shopping Carnival has evolved from a pandemic-era initiative into the city’s largest sales event. Organised by Sands China and co-organised by the Macao Chamber of Commerce, the carnival featured over 580 booths across eight themed exhibition zones. These ranged from gourmet food and household products to cultural and creative displays.

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A central feature of this year’s expansion was the inclusion of brands from across the Greater Bay Area within the Cultural and Creative Zone. This cross-regional collaboration was mirrored by the high participation levels in the ICBC ePay Greater Bay Area Karaoke King Singing Competition. The contest drew nearly 150 singers, with over half of the applicants travelling from Hong Kong, further demonstrating the carnival’s reach beyond Macao.

Sands Shopping Carnival: community spirit

Dr Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China, described the Sands Shopping Carnival as a testament to the growth of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the spirit of community solidarity. Since its inception in 2020, the platform has provided 4,000 complimentary booths to local businesses and has attracted a cumulative total of 800,000 visits.

To support the Macao SAR government’s “Tourism+” policy, the carnival introduced new attractions, including a “Sports Experience Zone” featuring pickleball and a basketball shooting challenge ahead of the upcoming NBA China Games. The event also prioritised inclusivity, with a record 20 local social service organisations participating to showcase products created by trainees from disadvantaged groups.

The carnival remains a key driver of local spending, with daily promotions including selected items priced at 1 pataca and discounts of up to 90 percent. As the event concluded, organisers reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging the platform to strengthen connections between SMEs and the broader Greater Bay Area, supporting the city’s development as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.