Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said yesterday that the contributions by the gaming industry to non-gaming attractions in Macau are becoming increasingly important, highlighting the determination of both the industry and the government to diversify the local economy beyond gaming. He noted that overreliance on the gaming sector at the expense of other industries is unsustainable for Macau’s overall development.
Ho made the remarks during a press conference at Government Headquarters, summarising his administration’s work over the past five years. He noted the challenging negotiations a few years ago with gaming operators for their concession renewals, the outcome of which required operators to invest a total of 110 billion patacas in non-gaming development, a significant endeavour, Ho said, especially when considering the substantial losses incurred by the industry during the three-year COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonetheless, Ho emphasised that this collaborative effort is geared towards bolstering Macau’s long-term growth by expanding beyond the gaming sector. He underlined the government’s proactive approach in response to the changing tourism demographics, which now prioritises individual travellers, young people, and families, while witnessing a decline in the number of group tours in the aftermath of the pandemic. This shift aligns well with Macau’s identity as a “City of Performing Arts” and the ongoing efforts to introduce innovative forms of entertainment.
The change in the profile of visitors engaging in gaming activities, Ho noted, has provided gaming operators with a notable increase in non-gaming revenue such as from concerts in the past year. He anticipated that this year’s number of visitor arrivals will reach 34 million.
In pre-pandemic 2019, Macau recorded 39.4 million visitor arrivals, according to official statistics.
The chief executive expressed gratitude to the six gaming operators for their commitment to the new contractual requirements set by the local government, which greatly supports its economic diversification efforts. To address the operators’ lack of land for large outdoor events, Ho said the government has invested in an open-air venue for hosting large-scale performances on a large plot next to the Lisboeta Macau resort in Cotai.
While previous reports noted that the open-air venue could host concerts and other performances for up to 50,000 spectators, Ho said during the press conference that the venue could have a maximum capacity of even 80,000. The first trial event is scheduled be held on December 28, aiming to attract interest from non-local artists for next year’s venue bookings.
Hong Kong, Macau
When asked about potential competition with Hong Kong in hosting large-scale events, Ho described Hong Kong as the “elder brother,” emphasising its larger scale and international influence as a model for Macau to learn from. He underlined that Macau should not be concerned but instead jointly promote co-development by the two special administrative regions (SARs). Ho also said the close relationship between Macau and Hong Kong will continue, adding he believes that Macau’s incoming government will further strengthen cooperation with Hong Kong in various fields, including tourism and cultural events, leveraging the advantages of both cities for stronger development momentum.
Portugal, Macau
Regarding relations with other places, Ho noted that during his term, he led a delegation to Portugal, further deepening the friendly ties between the two sides and jointly promoting exchanges and cooperation in various fields, further highlighting Macau’s role as a service platform for commercial and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs).
When asked by a reporter whether there had been any changes to the “One Country, Two Systems” and “Macau people administering Macau” with a “high degree of autonomy” during his administration, which ends at midnight on December 19, Ho insisted that in Macau these principles have remained unchanged, and that these three guidelines promised by the Central People’s Government have not been altered, adding he believes that the future Macau SAR government will continue to uphold these principles.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng poses for press photographers at the start of his press conference at Government Headquarters yesterday afternoon. – Photo:William Chan
