Gambling hub at crossroads as revenues decline

Region envisions restyling itself as an international tourism, leisure destination

The Macao Special Administrative Region is standing at a critical juncture in transforming from a gaming hub into a world-leading tourism and leisure center with a diversified economy, a senior Macao official said at a meeting with deputies to the National People's Congress on Thursday.

It is a major test for the SAR government to act proactively before the gambling industry hits an inflection point, and Macao must chart a careful course at this critical time, said Li Gang, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Macao at a meeting with Macao NPC deputies.