Macau has beaten out Vegas as the largest generator of gaming revenues in the world but it can’t match the US version as a tourism destination, according to Vegas.Inc., which quotes an emeritus professor at UNLV.
William Thompson, an emeritus professor of public administration and a longtime observer of the local casino industry, said in a speech in Vegas that it could benefit from Macau’s success because many Chinese visitors will eventually make their way to the US.
"It’s interesting that while Macau has also been called ‘the Las Vegas of the East,’ Las Vegas has never been called ‘the Macau of the West," Thompson said. "Las Vegas has always been ahead in entertainment, shopping and all forms of tourism."
Thompson said the tourism infrastructure would enable Las Vegas to maintain its place as an appealing destination while Macau could languish if it doesn’t diversify its product, according to the site.
Thompson said Macau also was susceptible to increased Asian competition from Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, India and Japan.
Macau is in a location that could suffer in an earthquake, tsunami or typhoon, and it’s also in a volatile political region at a time when trade disparities between the United States and China could become an issue, according to Thompson.
By David Wilkening
