Inside Asian Gaming

IAG MAY 2023年5月 亞博匯 66 IN FOCUS Sports tourism” is not the same as local sports development. Although there is a gradual push to improve the development of local sports in Macau, the government’s push to enhance sports tourism itself envisions the construction and expansion of facilities within Macau’s integrated resorts so they can attract and host major global sporting events. This in turn provides for more tourism attractions, therefore satisfying the government’s desire for greater economic diversification. “ “Macau is actually very experienced in sports tourism,” explains journalist and former table tennis player Ian Johnson. “Macau hosted the East Asian Games in 2005, Manchester United of the English Premier League visited for a friendly game in 2007, and in 2016 the World MMA Championship was also held in Macau.” Following liberalization of the gaming industry, the Macau government and concessionaires took the lead to develop “sports tourism” as ameans of attracting more visitors to Macau. “The six gaming concessionaires in Macau have significant financial resources and international connections, and they have supported a lot of major tournaments held in Macau,” Johnson continues. “Some sports stars with huge followings have brought visitors to Macau and put the city’s name on the international map.” In reality, however, the status of sporting events held in Macau has not been reaching the same heights as many other neighboring jurisdictions for some time now