Macau’s Tourism Boom: Non-Gaming Spending Surges Amid Economic Diversification – newsnet5.com

Report on Macau’s Economic Diversification and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report analyzes the growth in Macau’s non-gaming tourism sector, highlighting its alignment with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The data reflects a strategic shift towards a more diversified and sustainable economic model, reducing reliance on the gaming industry and fostering long-term resilience.

Analysis of Non-Gaming Sector Performance: Q3 2025

Overall Expenditure Growth and Contribution to SDG 8

In the third quarter of 2025, Macau’s non-gaming sector demonstrated significant growth, directly contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering a more robust and diversified economic base. This progress is crucial for creating stable employment and ensuring sustainable economic development.

• Total non-gaming expenditure reached MOP 20.4 billion ($2.55 billion), a 10.7% increase year-on-year.
• Year-to-date non-gaming spending amounted to MOP 58.25 billion ($7.3 billion), a 3.6% rise from the previous year.

Visitor Segment Contributions

The increase in expenditure was observed across different visitor segments, indicating broad-based growth in the diversified tourism model.

1. Overnight Visitors: Spending increased by 7.6% to MOP 16.8 billion ($2.1 billion).
2. Same-Day Visitors: Spending saw a substantial rise of 27.6%, reaching MOP 3.6 billion ($0.45 billion).

Expenditure Breakdown and Support for SDG 12

The distribution of spending underscores a shift towards more sustainable consumption patterns, aligning with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Growth in these areas supports local businesses and promotes a more culturally-focused tourism product.

• Shopping: 42.4%
• Accommodation: 26.7%
• Food and Beverage: 21.2%

Per Capita Spending Trends and Demographic Analysis

Per Capita Expenditure

While overall spending increased, per capita expenditure experienced a decline, influenced by a changing visitor mix. This highlights the need for strategies that enhance value per visitor as part of a sustainable tourism framework.

• Average per capita non-gaming spend in Q3 2025 was MOP 1,950 ($244), a decrease of 2.6%.
• The year-to-date average per visitor spending was MOP 1,963 ($245), down 9.5%.

Spending Patterns by Visitor Origin

Analysis of spending by visitor origin reveals varied trends, indicating opportunities for targeted marketing to encourage higher-value, sustainable tourism from diverse markets.

• Mainland China: MOP 2,123 (a 5.0% decrease)
• Taiwan: MOP 2,335 (a 9.8% increase)
• International Visitors: MOP 2,261 (a 3.3% increase)
• Hong Kong: MOP 1,063 (a 0.1% increase)

Strategic Implications for Sustainable Development

Advancing SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The deliberate policy to expand the non-gaming sector is a direct implementation of principles within SDG 8. By creating a multifaceted economy, Macau is building resilience against sector-specific shocks and generating a wider array of job opportunities in hospitality, retail, and cultural services.

Fostering SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Economic diversification is fundamental to achieving SDG 11. A balanced economic structure enhances the long-term sustainability and inclusivity of the urban environment, ensuring that economic benefits are distributed more broadly across the community and reducing the social and environmental pressures of a single dominant industry.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article’s central theme is Macau’s effort to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on the gaming sector. This directly aligns with promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  By promoting sustainable tourism, which involves encouraging spending on local goods, food, and accommodation, the article touches upon ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns within the tourism industry.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article relies heavily on data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). This highlights the importance of strong national statistical systems for monitoring progress, which is a key aspect of SDG 17, particularly in the context of data and monitoring.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification…

  The article directly addresses this target by detailing Macau’s strategy to “broaden its tourism appeal and reduce dependence on casinos.” The report of a 10.7% increase in non-gaming expenditures to MOP 20.4 billion is a clear outcome of these diversification efforts.

• Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.

  The focus on increasing visitor spending on “non-gaming amenities” such as shopping, accommodation, and food and beverages is a direct implementation of policies promoting sustainable tourism. The breakdown shows that spending on local products and services (shopping at 42.4%) is a significant part of the tourism economy.

• Target 12.b: Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism…

  The article demonstrates the use of monitoring tools by citing data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). The detailed analysis of spending patterns, including the breakdown by category (shopping, accommodation, food) and the calculation of “average expenditure per visitor,” serves as a mechanism to monitor the economic impacts of sustainable tourism initiatives.

• Target 17.18: …increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by… geographic location and other characteristics…

  The article’s analysis is based on timely (Q3 2025) and reliable data from a national statistical body (DSEC). The data is disaggregated by visitor type (“overnight visitors” vs. “same-day visitors”) and geographic origin (“mainland China,” “Hong Kong,” “Taiwan,” and “international visitors”), which directly reflects the goal of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 8.2 (Economic Diversification):

  An implied indicator is the share of non-gaming revenue within the total tourism economy. The article provides the absolute value and growth rate of this sector, stating that “non-gaming expenditures reached MOP 20.4 billion,” a “10.7% increase.”

• For Target 8.9 (Sustainable Tourism):

  A direct indicator is the breakdown of tourist expenditure. The article specifies the proportions: “Shopping accounted for the largest share… making up 42.4%,” “Accommodation spending… comprising 26.7%,” and “food and beverage costs represented 21.2%.”

• For Target 12.b (Monitoring Sustainable Tourism):

  A specific indicator used is the average tourist expenditure per capita on non-gaming activities. The article reports that “Per capita non-gaming spend dropped by 2.6% to MOP 1,950 ($244) in the third quarter.”

• For Target 17.18 (Data Availability):

  The indicator is the availability and use of disaggregated tourism statistics. The article’s entire analysis is built on this, using data broken down by visitor spending habits, duration of stay (“overnight” vs. “same-day”), and country of origin, all sourced from the DSEC.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: newsnet5.com