Issues include traffic congestion, staff shortages and environmental pressures
THE RECENT surge in tourism poses challenges for Macau, as Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah acknowledged at the recent 54th Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) annual conference in the SAR.
These included 'tremendous pressure' on Macau's infrastructure and transportation systems, a dramatic impact on the environment and 'pressing demands on skilled service personnel beyond our capacity', he said.
Another issue facing Macau is the need to remain competitive in the Asian region.
The relaxation on individual travel from the mainland boosted Macau's visitor arrivals to a record 16.7 million last year. Macau is forecasting more than 20 million arrivals this year and as many as 30 million in 2007.
One pressure point is traffic congestion. There are 64,371 vehicles jostling for space in Macau's 27.3 square kilometres.