Professor Glenn McCartney from the University of Macau says CSR needs to be an integral part of the diversification thought process the SAR is currently implementing. He remarked that the city, and its businesses, must take into consideration how their diversification strategies align with societal values such as sustainability.

“Everything that you do has to think of CSR as part of that, because you have to consider the carbon footprint and all the environmental issues. So, if you’re developing an area, how do you develop it into a green area with trees? Smart elements, waste management, and so forth. How can we use technology better? All of those elements need to be part of the development,” he said.

Professor McCartney emphasized that any diversification efforts should be led by the Macau government and that local political leaders should integrate CSR considerations to ensure that a broader set of stakeholders are part of the diversification process.

He highlighted how global warming has become the most critical concern among young people all over the globe, placing governmental policies to tackle climate degradation at the forefront of their priorities. In the case of Macau, an upcoming new generation of potential tourists might feel more attracted to visit a city which considers and incorporates green policies and is a model of sustainability, he suggested.

Delving into diversification models, Professor McCartney set as an example the evolution of Las Vegas, which moved from a primarily gaming-focused city in the 90s to the current MICE hub it is today.

The Professor made the comments during a presentation on Wednesday 28 June titled “Navigating the Path to Sustainable Tourism Diversification in Macau” and hosted by a Macau CSR strategic partner, the France Macau Chamber of Commerce.