Coffee Walk and IP Exhibition Opens at Barra District

Source: Macao Daily News

The “Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Coffee Walk and Coffee-themed IP Exhibition,” jointly organized by the Macao Specialty Coffee Association and the local creative brand Semsorriso, was held yesterday.

Under the theme “A Sip of Aroma, A Journey East Meets West” the event adopts an innovative “coffee + IP + cultural tourism” model, bringing together international trends and local flavors. By connecting 60 specialty coffee shops across Macau with homegrown creative IPs, it aims to create an immersive event that blends urban culture with the aesthetics of everyday life.

The opening ceremony was held at 2:30 p.m. yesterday at the Former Barra Slaughterhouse Site in the Barra District. Officiating guests included Li Xuefei, Director of the Department of Education and Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Lau Kit Lon, head of the Economic Activities Development Department of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau; Ip Weng San, head of the Department of Tourism Product and Events of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Cheong Ka Man, executive director of the Macau Youth Development Service Centre; Catarina Lio, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing at MGM; Wong Yeuk Lai, chief executive officer of Choi Heong Yuen Bakery Macau; Linwood Lin, co-founder and executive director of Articross; Li Wai Kit , founder of the Semsorriso brand; and Lo Leong Fai, president of the Macao Specialty Coffee Association.

Lo Leong Fai said that, as a place where Chinese and Western cultures converge, Macau has records of residents drinking coffee as early as the Qing dynasty, making it the place where the “first cup of coffee in China” set sail. “Macau Coffee Walk 2.0” is not only intended to promote this unique coffee tradition, but also aims to use the platform to provide young practitioners with space to showcase their talents and inject innovation and vitality into the community economy.

Li Wai Kit said that, in line with the Macao SAR Government’s “1+4” strategy for appropriate economic diversification and the direction of “IP-driven traffic + community economy,” this cross-sector collaboration built around “coffee + IP + cultural tourism” represents a proactive attempt at “IP+” industrial integration, and is of great significance in stimulating local industry momentum and encouraging youth innovation.

Connecting 60 coffee shops across Macau

The event also features a cross-industry collaboration with Articross and Koi Kei Bakery. Under the theme “One Cup of Coffee, One Bite of Sweet”, it introduces the new trend of pairing coffee with almond cookies, further reinforcing Macau’s reputation as a “Creative City of Gastronomy.” Through the event mini program, participants can connect with 60 coffee shops across Macau and multiple historic attractions, enjoying coffee while experiencing the leisurely charm of a “CityWalk.”

“Macau Coffee Walk” is a cross-sector lifestyle festival centered on urban exploration. To deepen the connection between coffee and local creativity, the opening event features a special coffee-themed IP exhibition, inviting local cultural and creative IPs such as UNDERDOG, Beanie, Mr.Bubbles, Whatelephant, and Honey Girl to create works inspired by coffee. Li Wai Kit, the event coordinator and curator, hopes that by continuously organizing diverse themed activities, the event will bring new experiences to visitors and residents, while also opening up brand exposure channels beyond traditional marketing for local coffee shops. In the long run, he hopes coffee culture and cultural and creative IPs will become a distinctive calling card for Macau tourism. The “Macau Coffee Roaming 2.0” stamp collection activity will continue from mid-this month until mid-March.