Angela Leong wants Macau to become an ecotourism destination

Angela Leong

Macau should become an ecotourism destination, lawmaker Angela Leong said in an inquiry presented at the Legislative Assembly (AL) yesterday.

Leong said several countries and regions are adopting ecotourism to attract different types of visitors. She noted that although the government has previously said it has a plan to promote ecotourism this seems to not have been moving forward.

“Thailand, Finland and Taiwan, among other countries and regions, are making great efforts to develop ecological tourism, which has brought them economic benefits and sustainable development,” she said.

“Macau has a rich historical and cultural heritage and also several places suitable for exploring ecotourism.”

“The Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan also points to the support, planning and development of ecological tourism, and the authorities have even launched activities that were very well received by the public, such as ‘Designing an Ecological Tour’ and maritime ecological tours to observe black-faced spoonbills and mangroves, among other ecological landscapes.”

The lawmaker said that as Macau positions itself as a world center for tourism and leisure, and for the opening and increased diversification of tourist experiences, these types of activities can contribute and “inject another dynamic into the tourist environment,” to offer different experiences to residents and tourists.

The government responded that the Municipal Affairs Bureau has been working on the beautification of the areas, creating trails and paths, and facilitating people’s access to the wetlands and other areas of ecological interest.

According to the government, there were 400 activities directed to students, and it is working with schools to increase knowledge on the matter.

Leong noted the work, but said that, according to the response, most of the work has been oriented to local students and learning and not to tourism nor to the commercially oriented activities she noted.

The deputy director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Cheng Wai Tong, said the office has been supporting the industry to develop maritime tourism, having launched a Financial Support Program this year.

Cheng also said there is a “tourism + ecology” itinerary, which includes visits to the “Ecological Trail Garden of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant” that was launched in 2021 and 2022 and was included in the program that promoted tours, gastronomy, and stays but that was, once again, directed to local residents.

He said that MGTO is encouraging the tourism industry to develop ecotourism itineraries in Hengqin as there are more spaces and resources there.

A program to invite Hong Kong students to visit Macau to participate in ecotours is also planned for this year. Cheng hoped it will increase the willingness of young tourists to visit Macau as well as of educational institutions to organize more study visits to Macau.

The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, said the MGTO oversees evaluating and studying the markets and understanding if there are conditions and potential markets for this type of tourism.

“If there is the possibility of turning these places like the trails and others into a tourism product with commercial purposes, we will take the opinions into account and will study them,” Lei said.

Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.

It is intended to offer tourists an insight into the impact of human beings on the environment and to foster a greater appreciation of natural habitats. Examples of ecotourism include activities such as camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing.