Showcasing the Legacy of Chinese Culture through Paper Art Creations and
Driving the Profound Integration of Culture and Tourism
HONG KONG, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th Anniversary of Macau's Return to the Motherland, the Hong Kong Association for the Development of Chinese Culture and Creativity (ADCCC) is proud to present the FORTUNE REALMS: Pop-Up Museum of Chinese Culture & Arts (Macau Station). Co-organized by SJM Resorts, S.A. ("SJM") and OptiWin Culture and Innovation Association – whatelephant IP Team, FORTUNE REALMS: Pop-Up Museum of Chinese Culture & Arts (Macau Station). Officially launching today, this exhibition will run until 9 February 2025, at Level 1 of the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau ("Grand Lisboa Palce") and highlights the integration of traditional Chinese heritage with modern artistic innovation.
The exhibition is supported by the Macao Government Tourism Office ("MGTO"), Cultural Development Fund of the Macao SAR Government, The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau, Digital Marketing Committee of the The Chinese Workers' Technical Association, Ethnic Cultural Heritage Branch of the China Traditional Culture Promotion Council, The Hong Kong Guangxi Association of Professionals, Cultural Creative Committee of the China Hong Kong Economic Trading International Association, Globasia Cultural Exchange Promotion Association, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Society, and the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners ("WISDP"). Associate organisers includes Sociedade Lumos Viva Limitada, Gao He (SZ) international Supply-chain Management Limited, OwOh Concept Limited, Bamu Bakery Co., Ltd. and Triplets Culture and Entertainment Limited.
The opening ceremony was graced by esteemed guests, including Ms. Lei Ka Ian, Representative of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government of the Macao SAR Government; Ms. Jennifer Si Tou, Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of MGTO; Mr. Van Pou Lon, Head of Visual Art of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Mr. Ray Ng, Executive Director of The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau; Mr. Chan Ka Io, Member of the Administrative Committee of the Cultural Development Fund of the Macao SAR Government; Ms. Gloria Chak, Manager of Convention and Exhibition Industry Development Division of Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute; Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM; Mr. Michael Yip, Chairman of the Association for the Development of Chinese Culture and Creativity; and Mr. Terry Chao, Founder of OptiWin Culture and Innovation Association - whatelephant IP Team.
Curatorial Vision and Cultural Mission
Curated by renowned Chinese artist Michael Yip (Yip Tze yee), this exhibition bridges traditional Chinese cultural elements with contemporary artistic techniques, fostering the modern evolution of Chinese culture. Michael Yip, a multiple award-winning artist, is celebrated for his ability to harmonize cultural heritage with modern aesthetics, making this exhibition a cross-generational cultural feast.
The curatorial team comprises experienced space designers, sustainability experts, and cultural industry leaders committed to revitalizing Chinese traditions through innovative design and global collaboration.
As part of a series of 30 global exhibitions from 2024 to 2027, FORTUNE REALMS represents a strategic initiative to promote Chinese culture worldwide. Macau, as the inaugural station, underscores its role as a hub for international cultural exchange, invigorating Macau's cultural industries with sustainability and innovation.
Organizers and Co-Organizers
Hong Kong Association for the Development of Chinese Culture and Creativity (ADCCC)
Headquartered in Hong Kong, ADCCC is committed to modernizing and globalizing Chinese culture through innovative design, creative collaborations, and multi-disciplinary projects. Its core mission is to integrate Chinese culture + sustainability, aligning with national strategies such as China's vision to strengthen its cultural influence globally and the Dual Carbon Goals. Over the years, ADCCC has spearheaded numerous initiatives that enhance Chinese culture's international presence.
SJM Resorts, S.A.
SJM Resorts, S.A. ("SJM") is the premier leader in the integrated tourism and leisure industry in Macau and a principal subsidiary of SJM Holdings Limited, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx 880). Its iconic "Lisboa" hotels are quintessential emblems of Macau's tourism. SJM operates several iconic integrated tourism projects, including the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, the Grand Lisboa Macau, the Hotel Jai Alai, and Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16. The Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau in Cotai, Macau, is the flagship project of the group, designed to embrace a theme of East meets West. It comprises three distinctive hotel towers, collectively offering approximately 1,892 rooms and suites. These include the culturally rich Grand Lisboa Palace Macau, embellished with exquisite "Chinese style" elements, the globally unique THE KARL LAGERFELD Macau, and Asia's first Palazzo Versace Macau, making it the only resort in the world to boast two fashion designer brand hotels.
Situated in the heart of the Macau Peninsula, the Grand Lisboa Macau is designed around the motif of Macau's symbolic lotus and is connected to the iconic Lisboa Hotel. A beacon in Macau's culinary landscape, Grand Lisboa houses the Robuchon au Dôme, which has held three MICHELIN stars for 16 consecutive years, and The 8, a two-MICHELIN-star restaurant.
For more information, please visit https://www.sjmresorts.com/en.
About OptiWin Culture and Innovation Association
OptiWin Culture and Innovation Association is dedicated to fostering design and cultural exchange between Macau and mainland China. The Society manages the locally celebrated IP Whatelephant, creating exhibitions that highlight Macau's unique heritage and artistic creativity. Through cultural innovation and collaboration, the Society continues to elevate Macau's cultural landscape.
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FORTUNE REALMS: Pop-Up Museum of Chinese Culture & Arts (Macau Station) Opens at Grand Lisboa Palace
FORTUNE REALMS: Pop-Up Museum of Chinese Culture & Arts (Macau Station) Opens at Grand Lisboa Palace
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SINGAPORE, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund, a partnership between Agoda, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore, and the UnTours Foundation, has announced its second round of investments alongside early impact results from the Fund's inaugural cohort.
Designed to provide affordable, flexible financing to small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, the Fund supports businesses that integrate environmental restoration, climate resilience, and inclusive economic development into their core operations. Indonesia-based Livingseas Asia and Bambike Ecotours in the Philippines are the beneficiaries of the new investments. Each new investee receives USD 25,000 in loan capital to expand impact-driven initiatives across the region.
In Indonesia, Livingseas Asia combines dive tourism with coral reef restoration in Padangbai, Bali. Its nonprofit arm, the Livingseas Foundation, has restored more than 7,300 square meters of degraded reef, deploying artificial reef structures and planting over 320,000 coral fragments, with measurable biodiversity recovery. The Fund's investment will support the construction of modular housing for staff and trainees near the restoration site. This will expand Livingseas Asia's hosting capacity and strengthen the Foundation's ability to deliver marine education, conservation training, and reef restoration activities.
Bambike Ecotours in the Philippines connects bamboo agroforestry, fair trade bicycle manufacturing in rural communities, and regenerative tourism experiences. The loan will support the development of Ligtasin Cove in Batangas, a bamboo-built tourism destination that will include coastal ecotours and a bamboo nursery for reforestation and erosion control. The initiative aims to create local jobs while expanding lower-carbon tourism experiences that connect travelers with community-led environmental restoration.
"At Agoda, we believe the future of travel depends on the resilience of the destinations we serve," said Timothy Hughes, Vice President of Corporate Development at Agoda. "These investments support local pioneers integrating environmental restoration and community well-being into their operations, demonstrating the potential of impact-driven travel."
Six months after the Fund's initial investments, early results across Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines demonstrate encouraging environmental and community impact.
Across Southeast Asia, three organizations advanced community-led tourism in meaningful ways. In Thailand, Local Alike expanded its Travel With Care initiative to 10 destinations, launching 16 regenerative tourism activities and securing partnerships with national parks and tourism authorities to develop a white paper on regenerative tourism. In the Philippines, Ecohotels grew its Bahay Farms initiative by onboarding 22 farmers, planting 500 mango trees, increasing plant-based menu offerings from 35% to 50%, and launching its Green Warriors workforce program, with 5 of 15 trainees already placed in hospitality roles. In Indonesia, Sejiva introduced heritage walking tours and coral restoration experiences across West Java and Jakarta, while scaling its #travelpositive campaign to reach broader audiences.
"We are incredibly encouraged by the impact created so far by our inaugural cohort," said Sarah Payne, Senior Director of Impact at the UnTours Foundation. "These businesses are expanding regenerative tourism models, strengthening local livelihoods, and embedding measurable environmental outcomes into their growth. Their progress shows how flexible financing can translate into tangible impact on the ground."
The Fund is part of Agoda's broader sustainability strategy and builds on its partnership with WWF-Singapore through Agoda's Eco Deals program. Through Eco Deals, Agoda works with hotel partners across Asia to offer travelers discounted stays while directing a portion of proceeds to WWF's conservation initiatives. Those funds also support the Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund, extending conservation impact to small tourism enterprises, strengthening ecosystem health and community resilience at the destination level.
Tourism enterprises across the region advancing conservation, climate resilience, sustainable mobility, and community-led economic development are encouraged to apply for the next round of funding at: https://untoursfoundation.org/sustainable-tourism-impact-fund.
SINGAPORE, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund, a partnership between Agoda, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore, and the UnTours Foundation, has announced its second round of investments alongside early impact results from the Fund's inaugural cohort.
Designed to provide affordable, flexible financing to small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, the Fund supports businesses that integrate environmental restoration, climate resilience, and inclusive economic development into their core operations. Indonesia-based Livingseas Asia and Bambike Ecotours in the Philippines are the beneficiaries of the new investments. Each new investee receives USD 25,000 in loan capital to expand impact-driven initiatives across the region.
In Indonesia, Livingseas Asia combines dive tourism with coral reef restoration in Padangbai, Bali. Its nonprofit arm, the Livingseas Foundation, has restored more than 7,300 square meters of degraded reef, deploying artificial reef structures and planting over 320,000 coral fragments, with measurable biodiversity recovery. The Fund's investment will support the construction of modular housing for staff and trainees near the restoration site. This will expand Livingseas Asia's hosting capacity and strengthen the Foundation's ability to deliver marine education, conservation training, and reef restoration activities.
Bambike Ecotours in the Philippines connects bamboo agroforestry, fair trade bicycle manufacturing in rural communities, and regenerative tourism experiences. The loan will support the development of Ligtasin Cove in Batangas, a bamboo-built tourism destination that will include coastal ecotours and a bamboo nursery for reforestation and erosion control. The initiative aims to create local jobs while expanding lower-carbon tourism experiences that connect travelers with community-led environmental restoration.
"At Agoda, we believe the future of travel depends on the resilience of the destinations we serve," said Timothy Hughes, Vice President of Corporate Development at Agoda. "These investments support local pioneers integrating environmental restoration and community well-being into their operations, demonstrating the potential of impact-driven travel."
Six months after the Fund's initial investments, early results across Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines demonstrate encouraging environmental and community impact.
Across Southeast Asia, three organizations advanced community-led tourism in meaningful ways. In Thailand, Local Alike expanded its Travel With Care initiative to 10 destinations, launching 16 regenerative tourism activities and securing partnerships with national parks and tourism authorities to develop a white paper on regenerative tourism. In the Philippines, Ecohotels grew its Bahay Farms initiative by onboarding 22 farmers, planting 500 mango trees, increasing plant-based menu offerings from 35% to 50%, and launching its Green Warriors workforce program, with 5 of 15 trainees already placed in hospitality roles. In Indonesia, Sejiva introduced heritage walking tours and coral restoration experiences across West Java and Jakarta, while scaling its #travelpositive campaign to reach broader audiences.
"We are incredibly encouraged by the impact created so far by our inaugural cohort," said Sarah Payne, Senior Director of Impact at the UnTours Foundation. "These businesses are expanding regenerative tourism models, strengthening local livelihoods, and embedding measurable environmental outcomes into their growth. Their progress shows how flexible financing can translate into tangible impact on the ground."
The Fund is part of Agoda's broader sustainability strategy and builds on its partnership with WWF-Singapore through Agoda's Eco Deals program. Through Eco Deals, Agoda works with hotel partners across Asia to offer travelers discounted stays while directing a portion of proceeds to WWF's conservation initiatives. Those funds also support the Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund, extending conservation impact to small tourism enterprises, strengthening ecosystem health and community resilience at the destination level.
Tourism enterprises across the region advancing conservation, climate resilience, sustainable mobility, and community-led economic development are encouraged to apply for the next round of funding at: https://untoursfoundation.org/sustainable-tourism-impact-fund.
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Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund Expands Investments Across Southeast Asia
Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund Expands Investments Across Southeast Asia
Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund Expands Investments Across Southeast Asia
