MACAU - predicted to resemble “Vegas on steroids” in 10 years

eTN Asia, 4-1-2007

After receiving its record-breaking 20 millionth visitor in December last year, Macau has set its sights on bigger achievements.
The head of the Macau government, Edmund Ho, has termed 2007 as “the year of the progressive integration in the territory of the tourism. leisure, conventions and exhibitions industries.”
Ho also said that the integration of these industries, “is the first sign of the conversion of the predominant economic sector contributing to the expansion of the consumer market and the revitalization of some traditional areas of activity and the emergence of new opportunities.”
“The tourism sector, as part of the cultural industry with intrinsic competitive advantages, will have greater growth, and so we believe that this year is crucial for the appropriate diversification of our economy,” Ho said.
In the year 2000 and 2001, Macau’s visitor arrivals experienced breakthroughs of 9 million and 10 million respectively. Seven years after the establishment of the Macau SAR, the number doubled to 20 million.

>>Full article