Sports, culture and the arts: How Macau is diversifying beyond casinos
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A cultural dance at the Ruins of St Paul's in Macau in February.
PHOTO: AFP
MACAU – “The most exciting thing for me is riding on a circuit like this – there’s nothing else like it in the world,” said 52-year-old British motorcycle racer Michael Rutter about the Guia Circuit in Macau.
In November, the 71st Macau Grand Prix roared into action, attracting world-class racers to this small coastal city of just 33 sq km. This iconic sporting event epitomises the Special Administrative Region’s (SAR) potential as a sports hub.
Over the years, Macau has embraced a strategy to diversify its economy, moving beyond its historic reliance on the gaming industry.
The government’s commitment to building a “city of sports” has led to many high-profile events, such as the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Men’s and Women’s World Cup, Macao International Marathon and Macao International Dragon Boat Races. According to the event organiser, tickets for the ITTF World Cup semi-finals and finals sold out almost instantly.
In his 2024 policy address, Macau’s chief executive Ho Iat Seng proposed hosting at least two international sports events monthly. He said building a “city of sports” would enhance its reputation as a world centre of tourism.
Rutter said that although the track has not changed much, the city – with its new buildings and infrastructure – has evolved massively over his 30 years of racing there.
The Macau Grand Prix’s “distinctiveness and the way it brings together people from all over the world make it very special”, he said.
Macau’s efforts to become a city of performing arts is another bid for diversification. Throughout the year, its Cotai Strip hosts various concerts, performances and cultural events, drawing millions of spectators and boosting revenue across the hospitality, dining and retail sectors.
Since 2023, the Galaxy Arena and several performance venues under Galaxy Entertainment Group have hosted over 180 entertainment shows and five sports events, attracting over a million spectators worldwide.
“Daytime sightseeing paired with evening performances has become the new travel norm,” noted Macao Urban Culture Promotion Association president Liu Changmei. She said this trend extends tourists’ stays and invigorates the city’s night-time economy.
Cultural festivals further enrich Macau’s allure, with events like the Macao International Parade and the Macao Arts Festival showcasing Eastern and Western influences.
According to data from the SAR government, arts and culture events in 2023 recorded nearly 20 million participants. Concerts and other events hosted by integrated resort and leisure enterprises attracted an audience of one million, generating about 1.1 billion pataca (S$185.1 million) in ticket sales.
In 1997, resident Si Wun Cheng took a black-and-white photograph in front of the historical landmark Ruins of St Paul’s with just a handful of tourists in the background. Fast-forward to 2024, and the image has been recreated amid a bustling crowd of visitors from around the globe.
As at Dec 7, Macau welcomed over 32.5 million visitors, and is expecting to hit 33 million by the year’s end.
The figures reflect its vibrant cultural and tourism appeal, bolstered by its historical heritage and integration with modern technology.
Macao is aiming to diversify its economy, moving beyond its historic reliance on the gaming industry.
From the ancient A-Ma Temple to modern Taipa island to tranquil Coloane village, tourists can scan QR codes to uncover the rich histories of these sites. And community-based projects, such as revitalising historic neighbourhoods with arts and performance spaces, have been promoted by the government to create dynamic new attractions.
In June, Macau was awarded the title of Culture City of East Asia 2025 as part of an arts and culture programme launched by China, Japan and South Korea. Macau’s Cultural Affairs Bureau head Leong Wai Man believes this is “a cultural golden name card that tells the story of China”.
She said Macau will continue to leverage its advantages of blending Chinese and Western cultures, and further deepen cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation in East Asia. XINHUA