The Small City with Big Ambitions

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.

Despite Macao being just over half the size of Manhattan, the SAR has big ambitions beyond its 33.3 sq km land area. In 2022, the city’s six major gaming operators pledged US$14.82 billion in a decade-long bid to diversify its leisure offering.

These efforts are paying off. With a record number of tourists flocking to Macao for the Lunar New Year, the region’s resorts—which recently helped earn it the distinction of being mainland China’s most satisfactory outbound tourist destination—are now in the spotlight like never before.

“The most significant change we’ve seen is the bloom of world-class hotel brands, with the city now having more Forbes five-star hotels than anywhere in the world,” says Kevin Kelley, Galaxy Entertainment Group’s Macao Chief Operating Officer. “This is the achievement of the Macao government, the local community, and the resort operators.”

Central among these resorts is Galaxy Macau Integrated Resort, the world-class resort offering a comprehensive experience with its diverse dining, shopping, spa, and entertainment options for visitors from all over the world.

A World of Luxury Under One Roof

In 2024, travelers are eager to maximize their trips. The American Express Global Travel Trends Report found that 65% of respondents are more interested in taking a big trip in 2024 than in previous years, and 77% care more about the right travel experience than about the cost.

Since its opening on Cotai in 2011, Galaxy Macau has been meeting the demand of this burgeoning luxury market and has now grown to feature eight world-class hotel brands under one roof—Banyan Tree Macau, Galaxy Hotel, Hotel Okura Macau, JW Marriott Hotel Macau, The Ritz-Carlton, Macau, Broadway Hotel, Andaz Macau and Raffles at Galaxy Macau. With each hotel providing visitors with signature experiences in their own distinctive setting, guests are spoilt for choice with places to explore and enjoy at Galaxy Macau.

The Grand Resort Deck features the world’s largest rooftop wave pool, adventure rapids, multiple swimming pools, and a 490-foot-long (150-meter) white sand beach, ideal for family fun and relaxation. Galaxy Promenade, spanning over 1 million square feet (90,000 sq m), offers a comprehensive shopping destination with more than 200 luxury brands and designer boutiques. For dining, Galaxy Macau provides 120 options, including multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, while GalaxyArt serves as the cultural hub of the resort, hosting renowned exhibitions throughout the year.

Endless Entertainment

Macao’s status as a premier international destination has been strengthened by a surge of activity within the entertainment industry. New facilities—such as the newest state-of-the-art Galaxy International Convention Center (GICC) and the 16,000-seat Galaxy Arena, Macao’s largest venue—are expanding the city’s event-hosting capabilities.

“We have joined forces with global entertainment titans such as Warner Music China, iQiYi, Alibaba Entertainment, and Tencent Music Entertainment Group,” says Kelley. “These partnerships are delivering world-class experiences, with appearances from Blackpink, Jackson Wang, G.E.M., and Andy Lau demonstrating Macao’s capacity to host top-tier acts.”

Galaxy Macau is also expanding its entertainment remit, making its mark in the fashion, food, and sports scenes.

From the debut of the Ferrari Roma Spider and Louis Vuitton’s pop-in and poolside takeover at Banyan Tree, to The Tatler Off-Menu event and International Table Tennis World Cup, Macao’s successful forays into the entertainment and lifestyle world are further diversifying the resort’s reputation.

A New Era of Hospitality

In 2025, Galaxy Macau is set to raise the bar once again with the opening of its ninth brand—Capella at Galaxy Macau. This ultra-luxury hotel will feature 100 sky villas and suites, designed by the renowned Paris-based firm Moinard Bétaille, as well as a fine-dining restaurant helmed by chef Vicky Cheng, known for Michelin-starred restaurants VEA and Wing.

Following the opening of Capella, Galaxy Macau is set to advance its Phase 4 development program, which will span almost 6.5 million square feet (600,000 sq m) and introduce multiple high-end hotel brands, a 4,000-seat theater, extensive food and beverage options, retail spaces, and a water resort, all set for completion by 2027.

With 25 years as a leader in leisure and tourism, Macao’s diversification into new luxury realms underscores the SAR’s ever-expanding global appeal. And as integrated resorts like Galaxy Macau continue to flourish, Macao confirms the adage that great things come in small packages.

To find out more about Macao’s integrated resort offerings, visit Galaxy Macau.