Research On Sports Tourism Development In Macao

This article aims to elaborate the advantages of developing Macao’s sports tourism under the’One Country, Two System’principle and the backup from the Mainland. Through analysing Macao’s current economic and industrial structure dominated by one single, monopolistic gaming and tourism industry, and based on the Mainland Government’s policy support and M. S. A. R. Government’s administration according to the Basic Law, this article will shed light on Macao’s favourable conditions with regard to economics, culture, sports and so forth and explore the breakthrough point for Macao to elevate and transform its industries by developing sports tourism, which will help Macao develop into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. This article suggests Macao develop sports tourism as a strategic goal and gives concrete measures and suggestions in this regard. This article will also serve as a theoretical framework for Macao’s promotion of sports tourism.Using scientific research methodology such as literary reviews, surveys and mathematical statistics, this article investigates the development of sports tourism in Macao, drawing several conclusions as below:1. The Outline of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China mentions supporting Macao’s efforts to build itself into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure whilst promoting moderate economic diversification. With its unique historical background, Macao plays a vital role internationally acting as a bridge between the Mainland and Portuguese-speaking Countries in terms of both geography and legal system.2. The Mainland’s supportive policy has offered favourable conditions and strong backup to the Macao S. A.R., providing advantages for the M. S. A.R. Government to promote moderate economic diversification. In addition to the tourism merits of the’Historic Centre of Macao’ inscribed on the World Heritage List and crowns such as’city of racing’ and’sports city’, Macao has sufficient hardware resources for sports.3. Development of Macao’s sports tourism is still in the startup phase and relevant talent in this area is insufficient, while government’s supporting regulations and auxiliary policies are yet to be drafted and implemented. Coupled with the dynamic content of culture, sports and tourism, Macao should optimise the industrial structure of tourism to meet the challenge of constructing a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and transform Macao from a gaming tourism city into a leisure and resort city. It should also gradually elevate the ratio of culture, sports and other tourism resources in the tourism industry to transform Macao into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure with sports tourism being the key driving force.4. Measures for the development of sports tourism in Macao include: Stepping up the establishment of supportive policies and related constructions to promote the development of the sports tourism market; facilitate co-ordination among sport, tourism and culture departments and encourage social sectors to invest and participate in the development of sports tourism; formulate a strategy to integrate city brands with brand events and optimise the synergistic combination of culture, sports and tourism; introduce and cultivate talent in sports tourism; foster the construction of sports and tourism facilities; strengthen the promotion of Macao’s sports tourism.