As Macao marks 25 years as a Special Administrative Region (SAR), the city looks to the future, embracing its cultural heritage and building on key markets to become a more diverse travel and business destination.
An authentic Macao, reimagined
Macao has always been a blend of old and new—a city that respects its heritage while embracing the future. Today, the city’s success hinges on three pillars: creativity, culture, and community. Macao’s integrated resorts, the lifeblood of its hospitality scene, play a crucial role in delivering this unified experience—which has led to a record-breaking 175,030 daily visitors in late 2023.
At the forefront of Macao’s evolution is SJM Resorts, which, along with its parent company STDM, is deeply rooted in the city’s history. Operating the Lisboa brand for over half a century and pioneering many of the city’s ‘firsts,’ SJM has been instrumental in establishing a myriad of hospitality, cultural, and sporting spectacles—from the Macao Open, Macao Grand Prix, and Macao International Dragon Boat Races, to Michelin-starred dining at Robuchon au Dôme and The 8.
Today, SJM boasts a portfolio of prestigious hotels, including the only two designer-branded luxury hotels in Macao. With nine Forbes Five-Star honors to its name, SJM is redefining the modern vacation.
Fashion and Dining at SJM
Enriching the cultural fabric
The burgeoning relationship between Macao’s thriving arts and sports scene and its evolving identity is not only enhancing the experience of visitors but also enriching the lives of residents.
From ballet and concerts to tennis, wushu, and football, the diverse lineup of world-class events under the SJM banner is drawing a wide range of visitors—elevating Macao as a preferred destination for sports fans and culture enthusiasts.
SJM’s efforts in developing what it calls Tourism+ have also had a marked impact on creating opportunities for the city’s residents. Through its cultural and sporting calendar, SJM is creating a platform for local talent to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the world’s best, paving the way for even larger stages. Its sponsorship of the Theodore Racing team—featuring homegrown racer Charles Leong—in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Finals, as well as its hosting of the Asian Wushu Championships and the Macao Golf Open, exemplifies this commitment, giving budding local talent the chance to shine.
Investing in the community
While significant progress has been made in diversifying Macao’s tourism industry, the city’s future rests on the resilience of its broader economy, driven by SMEs and the next generation of local talent. As such, SJM prioritizes support for local businesses, education, and youth development through its ‘Love for Motherland, Love for Macau’ ethos.
Initiatives like the Kam Pek Market revitalization project are part of this wider move to create a conducive growth environment for new F&B start-ups and local SMEs. The newly established SJM SME Institution goes one step further, offering expert advice and networking opportunities to up-and-coming businesses looking to grow their foothold in Macao’s economy.
RELATED ARTICLES
SJM is deepening its investment in the next generation by supporting Macao’s youth in education and skills development. Vocational training, field trips, scholarships, and summer classes are all part of a strategy to equip local youth with the tools to pursue their dreams.
As Macao enters a new phase of growth, it continues to build on an impressive legacy. Both visitors and residents are increasingly captivated by the city, now internationally renowned for its luxurious, vibrant, and diverse offerings.
SJM is instrumental in shaping this new era for Macao. By expanding the definition of the luxury lifestyle experience, while also championing the arts, sports, and SMEs, SJM is helping to build a Macao that honors the past and unlocks the limitless potential of the future.
To learn more about SJM and its contributions to Macao’s growth, visit SJM Resorts.
