Macau’s role as a recreation/tourist center in the Pearl River Delta city-region

Abstract

The return of Macau to Chinese sovereignty in 1999 brought far-reaching change to Macau as a special administrative region (SAR). China's policy and plans for a revitalized Macau as a key urban node offers an opportunity to conceptualize a leading role for Macau as the pre-eminent recreational and tourist center in the dynamic and globally connected Pearl River Delta city-region. We examine and assess the new policies that have led to Las Vegas-style casinos bringing explosive growth in visitors, gambling revenues, and Macau's economy. New problems of corruption, crime, and social pathologies have appeared as well owing in part to the secretive VIP gambling centers for high rollers from the mainland. Has Macau met China's goals and expectations for a great tourist and recreational center? Our findings indicate a mixed record with more challenges emerging in the wake of China's recent anti-corruption campaign.

Cooperator or supporter: how can cross-boundary Macau–Zhuhai metropolis promote regional tourism together?

“…Traditionally, Macau and Zhuhai may posit Hong Kong as the core of radiating effects on tourism, economy and technology advancement. Macau, particularly, has long been perceived as a seedy backwater for residents and visitors from Hong Kong who are seeking gaming and gambling activities (Pannell and Loughlin, 2015). Such image has been altered from our results.…”

“…, 2015) because Hong Kong is traditionally viewed as the core player of the regional tourism development, covering both the financial and economic sectors. Meanwhile, it has been a long time since residents and visitors from Hong Kong went to seek entertainment and gambling activities in Macau (Pannell and Loughlin, 2015). To date, the synergetic influence and neighbor effect from Zhuhai to Macau has been underexplored.…”

“…Some researchers may study Macau only (Chan and Kuok, 2011;Wong and Qi, 2017;Kou et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2020Liu et al, , 2021a, while others may jointly study Macau and Hong Kong (Hsu and Song, 2013;Todd et al, 2015) because Hong Kong is traditionally viewed as the core player of the regional tourism development, covering both the financial and economic sectors. Meanwhile, it has been a long time since residents and visitors from Hong Kong went to seek entertainment and gambling activities in Macau (Pannell and Loughlin, 2015). To date, the synergetic influence and neighbor effect from Zhuhai to Macau has been underexplored.…”