In order to cope with Macao SAR Government’s policy to build Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and to develop cultural tourism and creative industry, the Government launched the “Anim’Arte NAM VAN” project which officially opened on 3 June, 2016 so as to revitalise the shops in the area of the Nam Van Lakeside and Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van. Jointly managed by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Sports Bureau, the Macao Government Tourism Office and Institute for Tourism Studies, “Anim’Arte NAM VAN” transforms Nam Van Lakeside Plaza into a waterfront leisure hub with a distinct character combining creativity, leisure and dining. The project aims to provide residents and tourists with diverse tourism experience.
IFT operated the café in the past two years at two shops of “Anim’Arte NAM VAN”, striving to provide a platform for local artists to demonstrate their artworks so as to provide residents and tourists with a relaxing dining experience with cultural and art elements.
The first round of open tender was kicked off by IFT in March 2017 to invite interested parties of food and beverage industry to rent and operate the shops designated for food and beverage. The tender ended up with successful leases for two shops in August 2017. One of the bidders started their business in January 2018 while the other one is under the licensing process.
IFT proceeded the second round of open tender from October 2017 to February 2018 for five other shops designated for food and beverage. There were also two successful bidders in this round of open tender. The shop, which the IFT Café was located, will be handed over to the successful bidder on 1 June, 2018 to run a leisure café, while the other shop will be turned into a restaurant offering burgers, pizzas and other similar cuisine. However, the owners of the two restaurants need to apply for the relevant license before their operation.
The remaining shops will be included in the third round of open tender to call for renting and operation in the near future, possibly starting from next month. The project task force expects to bring a brand new recreational experience to residents and tourists by enriching the food and beverage options in the area and combining them with other facilities such as the shops selling cultural and creative products and pedal boats.