Macao's Tourism Office here on Saturday started a promotion drive for the region's "Historic Center," which gained the entry into the World Heritage List in July, 2005.

Costa Antunes, director of the Tourism Office, said at the launching ceremony that the campaign, titled "2006 Macao World Heritage Year," will hopefully help polish the city's cultural and tourism image.

He said the promotion plan will cover six main parts including global image projection, overseas promotions, consumer promotions, media campaign, heritage tours and cultural performance.

The official said the aimed promotion targets will be the Chinese mainland, China's Hong Kong and Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Europe, North America and Australia.

He said the Tourism Office will also provide tourists with the promotion material through its official website.

Macao's Historic Center is an urban area within the old city of Cacao spanning eight squares and 22 historic buildings featuring a Chinese-Portuguese mixed cultural style.

(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2006)