Pansy Ho, the chairwoman and executive director of MGM China, has articulated a vision for Macau that extends beyond its traditional reliance on mainland Chinese tourists.
Speaking to reportersa recent press conference, Ho underscored the importance of attracting a broader international audience to fulfill Beijing’s aspirations for Macau to evolve into a vibrant global city, the South China Morning Post reported.
Ho referred to comments made by Xia Baolong, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, who called for Macau to enhance its international profile and to “polish its golden business card.”
This call to action came during Xia’s inspection visit in May, where he encouraged Macau to embrace its potential as a cosmopolitan center.
Ho highlighted that while Macau has seen a significant influx of visitors—25.92 million in the first nine months of the year—most of these arrivals were from mainland China and Hong Kong.
Specifically, only 1.68 million, or about 6.48 percent, were international tourists, although this figure represents a remarkable 95.1 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year.
Emphasizing the need for change, Ho stated, “It is not that we don’t welcome mainland tourists, but the proportion should be adjusted to fulfill the call.” She believes that diversifying the tourist base is crucial for Macau’s long-term growth and sustainability as a premier global destination.
