Macau must embark on a massive recruitment drive from Hong Kong and beyond if it is to find the staff for the boom in casino developments, according to Macau Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah.
He said in a recent address to the 54th Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) annual conference in Macau that strong growth was predicted in the tourism industry and 'vast opportunities' lay ahead.
'The evolution of our key gaming [and] tourism industry has not only generated substantial revenue for the government but, at the same time, has contributed dynamic developments and triggered multiple effects in all sectors of our economy,' he said.
'We have no illusions about the challenges ahead of us. We know there will be pressing demands on skilled service personnel beyond our capacity.'
Macau is expected to need as many as 10,000 hospitality staff in the initial stages of the boom.
Mr Ho told the 1,176 Pata delegates from 44 countries that Macau was committed to 'flexible and practical policies to facilitate the sustainable growth of our tourism industry'.
