Lawmaker Zheng Anting has called on the government to accelerate the development of smart tourism in Macau, noting that there is a need for enhanced technological integration to increase the city’s tourism competitiveness.
In a written interpellation to the government, the lawmaker highlighted the growth of the tourism sector, noting that visitor arrivals reached over 3.6 million in January 2025, marking a 27.4% year-on-year increase.
Despite these positive figures, Zheng believes that Macau’s smart tourism experience still has significant room for improvement.
“While the number of tourists is increasing, Macau’s smart tourism infrastructure remains fragmented,” Zheng stated, noting that there is a need for better collaboration between the government and the tourism industry to strengthen the city’s tourism experience through digitalization.
He suggested that the government should integrate advanced technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing into the tourism sector.
Meanwhile, the Macau Tourism Development Master Plan also identifies “Technology-Led Smart Tourism” as a key focus, aiming to create a more immersive and seamless experience for visitors.
Examples of current efforts include virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications at tourist attractions, as well as the tourism bureau’s “Macao Full of Fun” itinerary planning service, which generates personalized travel plans based on visitors’ interests.
However, the lawmaker argued that more needs to be done to enhance the “Smart Passenger Flow Application,” a tool that monitors visitor numbers at over 100 tourist sites.
He questioned whether the government plans to improve the app’s functionality and increase its promotion to encourage wider usage.
“Efficient visitor flow management is essential to avoid overcrowding and improve tourists’ experiences,” the lawmaker said.
Additionally, Zheng proposed that the government support the tourism industry in establishing online platforms, strengthening cooperation with new media, and leveraging digital marketing to target specific audiences more effectively.
“Will the government formulate detailed medium- and long-term plans to further upgrade Macau’s tourist attractions, shops, and restaurants?” Zheng questioned.
Zheng also stressed the need for innovative and diversified marketing strategies to attract tourists.
“If we want to maintain our position as a world-class tourism destination, we must invest in developing smarter, more efficient, and more engaging tourism experiences,” he added. Staff Reporter
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