Galaxy Chairman Francis Lui urges diversification, innovation at G2E Asia 2025

Macao must accelerate diversification and improve competitiveness to sustain long-term growth, Galaxy Entertainment Group Chairman Francis Lui said at the opening of Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia on Tuesday.

In his keynote titled “Embracing New Horizons for Sustainable Growth in Macao,” Lui repeated key priorities he outlined in 2017, including closer integration with the Greater Bay Area (GBA), cooperation with mainland authorities, and strengthening ties with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, The Macao News reported.

He also highlighted the importance of supporting non-gaming sectors, particularly meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), as well as leveraging Macao’s cultural and UNESCO heritage to drive economic diversification.

“Never underestimate the regional competition,” Lui said, emphasising his support for the government’s “1+4” development strategy, which seeks to integrate tourism and leisure with four emerging industries.

Lui said that diversification is not a new strategy for the sector, noting how the industry has already evolved to serve mass-market consumers and cater to family-friendly tourism. He pointed out that the goal is to create a competitive tourism offering that meets the needs of both today’s and tomorrow’s customers.

As Macao intensifies its push into non-gaming industries under the “1+4” initiative, Lui advocated for deeper integration with GBA cities like Hong Kong. He proposed collaborative tourism initiatives such as a “one visit, two cities” model and suggested leveraging Macao’s air connectivity to build a transport hub on the western bank of the Pearl River Delta.

Lui also cited the upcoming concert marking 30 years of diplomatic relations between China and Monaco as a testament to Macao’s growing role as a hub for international cultural exchange.

However, he cautioned that Macao must expand its hotel infrastructure to sustain long-term growth, noting that Macao’s 44,000 rooms fall far short of Las Vegas’s 155,000. He said that in Las Vegas, hotel accommodations account for 30% of revenue, nearly matching its gaming revenue share of 35%.

Still, Lui expressed optimism about Galaxy’s Phase 4 expansion and highlighted the success of the Galaxy Arena, which has hosted nearly 900 events since 2023, including performances by Blackpink, Andy Lau, and Andrea Bocelli, as well as major sporting events like the UFC and ITTF World Cup.