Macau diversifying beyond casinos into sports, culture, arts

MACAU - "The most exciting thing for me is riding on a circuit like this - there's nothing else like it in the world," said 52-year-old British motorcycle racer Michael Rutter about the Guia Circuit in Macau.

In November, the 71st Macau Grand Prix roared into action, attracting world-class racers to this small coastal city of just 33 sq km. This iconic sporting event epitomises the Special Administrative Region's (SAR) potential as a sports hub.

Over the years, Macau has embraced a strategy to diversify its economy, moving beyond its historic reliance on the gaming industry.

The government's commitment to building a "city of sports" has led to many high-profile events, such as the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Men's and Women's World Cup, Macao International Marathon and Macao International Dragon Boat Races. According to the event organiser, tickets for the ITTF World Cup semi-finals and finals sold out almost instantly.

In his 2024 policy address, Macau's chief executive Ho Iat Seng proposed hosting at least two international sports events monthly. He said building a "city of sports" would enhance its reputation as a world centre of tourism.

Rutter said that although the track has not changed much, the city - with its new buildings and infrastructure - has evolved massively over his 30 years of racing there.