Over 100 waiters and waitresses from various hotels in Macao Saturday ran down the city's streets in a tray race which was local event held to celebrate the World Tourism Day.

The traditional race, organized by the Macao Special Administration Region Government Tourist Office (MGTO), attracted a record number of participants this year, with a total of 185 waiters and waitresses from 29 local hotels and restaurants.

The waiters and waitresses, carrying a tray with a beer on it, ran through the stoned-path from the Ruins of St. Paul's to the Senado Square, both of which were World heritage sites.

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in the third session of its General Assembly in Spain (September 1979), decided to commemorate September 27 as "World Tourism Day" each year. This is the 29th year since the celebrations commenced in 1980.

This year's theme is "Tourism Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change". The host country for "World Tourism Day 2008" is Peru and official celebrations were held on Sept. 27. Many other countries and regions also carried out activities to celebrate the day.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2008)