Macau's ancient - and new - scenic spots, such as the Ruins of St. Paul's, the Barra Temple and Lisboa Hotel, impressed a dozen overseas students who just graduated from the summer course at the Macau Tourism Institute.

"It is a pity that we studied here for just 10 days," Maria Alves from Portugal told Xinhua news agency.

Centuries of Chinese and Western cultures have converged in Macau, making it unique from other cities, she said.

Eloise Pienaar, a student from South Africa, admires Macau residents for the chance to enjoy so many Chinese and Western festivals.

As a matter of fact, Xinhua said, many tourists can also participate in the commemorative or recreational activities constantly held by the local government during festivals and holidays. Both residents and visitors can share traditional fun.

Su Du from Beijing said, "Some people told me that the gambling problems make Macau a dangerous place, but what I have seen here is quite different."

Su said that she is not worried about walking alone in the streets late at night, and will urge her parents and friends to visit Macau.

Ramesh Chandra, a tutor of the course, found that the Macau people have a sense of being the host, which makes him "feel welcomed."

It is very important that the Macau people understand the significance of the tourism industry for themselves, Chandra noted.

"Macau Welcomes You!" is a new slogan put forward by the Tourist Office of the Macau Special Administrative Region in an upcom-ing tourism promotion campaign.

Every Macau resident will be invited to act as a "tourist ambassador" during the month-long campaign.

Authorities said that Macau will add scenic spots and hold more tourism activities to exhibit a brand-new image. A fisherman's wharf that will be built at the southeastern tip of the peninsula will be the largest tourism project since Macau returned to the motherland at the end of 1999.

Chandra said that Macau is rich in tourism resources.

"Depending on the factors, the SAR government will surely make the tourists stay longer in Macau," he said.

Tourism is an economic pillar in Macau, contributing more than 40 percent of the SAR's gross domestic product.

Latest statistics show that the 23.4-square-kilometer city hosted 5.86 million tourists in the first seven months of this year, up 12.4 percent year-on-year.

A number of students still believe that Macau should exert greater efforts to promote itself worldwide. One suggestion is to set up a special Website introducing Macau's tourist attractions to world travelers.

(Eastday.com.cn 08/21/2001)