In order to cope with the influx of tourists during the National Day Golden Week, the Macau SAR Government has set up a temporary pedestrian zone in the Taipa Old Town area. This measure aims to balance the needs of tourists, residents and businesses by optimizing the traffic configuration. Recently, Prof. Davis Ka Chio FONG, Director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming and Professor of the Department of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management, was interviewed by the Macau Daily News to give an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of this measure and offer forward-looking suggestions.
Prof. Davis Ka Chio FONG pointed out that with family tourists becoming the main force of Macau’s tourism market, the installation of pedestrian zone can provide a safer and more convenient environment for tourists, but the measures taken still need to be optimized according to the traffic configuration in the area.
Prof. Davis Ka Chio FONG also said that the installation of the temporary pedestrian zone positively impacts the community’s economy while providing convenience to tourists and businesses. He believes that in the future, Macau can extend the success story of Taipa’s “Pedestrian Walkway” to other districts in an appropriate form, which will not only help to enhance the visitors’ experience but also further stimulate the vitality of the community’s economy.
On this basis, Prof. Davis Ka Chio FONG also provided new ideas to enhance the community economy and promote Macau’s unique products. He suggested that before the implementation of the pedestrianization measures in the future, the Government could publicize the “Made in Macau”, gourmet food or commodities of other districts in Macau at the pre-promotion stage, and set up sales booths in the area so that the commodities can be sold centrally for tourists to choose. In this way, the pedestrian zone will not only play a positive role based on facilitating tourists and shop operators in the district but will also benefit shop operators in other districts.
