Mshould take steps to improve its facilities and actively promote itself as a premier wedding destination to drive economic growth, according to local lawmaker Ngan Iek Hang.
In a written question submitted to the government, Ngan addressed the untapped potential of marriage tourism in Macau and drew comparisons to initiatives in other regions, both within mainland China and internationally.
The lawmaker highlighted the case of Taishan District in China, where its civil affairs department has established a specialized “marriage registration circuit” that leverages local culture.
The district has also collaborated with companies to create a wedding service brand called “Vows of Love – Love in Taishan,” which offers a one-stop-shop for couples looking to tie the knot, including wedding registration, tourism packages, photography and even pre-marital counseling.
“’Vows of Love – Dedicated to Taishan’ is a comprehensive marriage service that caters to tourists from across the country,” Ngan explained.
“The brand provides online consultations and specialized classes, and even extends its reach to overseas markets.”
In contrast, Ngan noted that while Macau’s hospitality industry is well-equipped to host elaborate wedding ceremonies, the region currently lacks the necessary facilities and suffers from insufficient efforts in branding and advertising its wedding tourism offerings.
The lawmaker questioned the effectiveness of Macau’s existing “Wedding Incentive Scheme,” urging the government to take inspiration from other regions and make better use of the city’s rich and unique local culture.
He said Macau should encourage the industry to develop a strong brand identity for wedding tourism, potentially leveraging a “Tourism +” model to offer a more comprehensive suite of services to both residents and visitors.
The scheme was introduced in late 2012 to tap this market segment, to promote Macau’s multi-faceted tourism image and to attract couples, wedding planners and companies to choose Macau as a destination for overseas weddings.
To apply for the scheme, the wedding should have a minimum of 50 non-local guests with two consecutive nights of stay in Macau’s hotels.
Ngan believes that by supporting the growth of related industries, the wedding and tourism sectors could experience a significant expansion, leading to new business opportunities and providing a much-needed economic boost to the region.
Victoria Chan
