Macau has several non-gaming entertainment offerings. However, if they’re compared with Las Vegas the city is yet to go long way in terms of diversification, Macau International Cultural and Sports Industries Association President Patricia Cheong Sai stated on Tuesday, suggesting that Macau develop “art tourism” as part of its financial diversification strategy.
Cheong made the statement at the time of speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the introduction of the “ArtBiz Asia 2019” forum, which her association is arranging at the Venetian. Today, the forum, the first ArtBiz event, ends.
The marketing expert emphasized that in spite of fast growth in some diversifying industries in Macau, there was still possibility in terms of improvement for other industries to grow up.
Cheong, the founder and managing director of M.M Marketing Communications, also said that “Macau is a place for everyone not just for players [gamblers]”. She further added that art applies to several sectors and it should mix with urbanization, adding that a larger diversity of products should be incorporated when designing resorts or tourist attractions.
Also, she stated that art tourism was the recent trend drawing young visitors. She referenced the Japanese island town of Naoshima that showcases public art and utilizes it as a strategy to attract new tourists.
Cheong stated that she thought that art tourism was a probable way for Macau to branch out its development of non-gaming products, particularly in juxtaposition with the Greater Bay Area (GBA) development, adding that more companies, not necessarily gaming companies, were interested in investing in Macau.
