Chapter Macao, 2000–2025 The Rise of the World's Casino Tourism Capital By Glenn McCartney

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Macao was elevated into one of the world's top tourism cities in terms of direct travel and tourism gross domestic product. This transformation was set in place in early 2000 with the liberalisation of the city's casino industry and the introduction of multiple casino-integrated resort complexes, many built along what would emerge as ‘The Cotai Strip’. This policy and tourism direction would propel the city into one of the richest cities globally, created by the substantial gaming revenues and tax to the government. Almost three years of COVID-19 restrictions would impact the city given its reliance on the casino and tourism industry. The renewal in 2022 of the six gaming concessions for ten years incorporated government directives on the need for the tourism industry to diversify beyond gaming and advance non-gaming tourism and leisure offerings to add to the tourism revenue mix. As the Greater Bay Area (GBA) evolves and connectivity advances between the GBA cities, a tourism challenge for the casino city is to elevate city salience and distinctiveness that clearly defines the city's tourism position.

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003558286-22/macao-2000%E2%80%932025-glenn-mccartney

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