Holiday Lettings news - Macau a hit with tourists

Macau a hit with tourists

The island of Macau is set to become a more popular tourist destination than near-by Hong Kong, figures show.

News agency Reuters reports that the number of people visiting Macau increased by 23 per cent in 2007, when compared to the previous year.

One of the main driving forces behind its popularity is the growth in the number of casinos on the island.

However, despite the fact that Macau is set to overtake Hong Kong in the tourist stakes, this could provide a boost to the former British colony.

Andrew Chan, assistant professor at the school of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, told Reuters: "I do not see it as competition. Rather, it strengthens the position of Hong Kong."

Like Hong Kong, Macau is a special administrative region of China.

Settlers from Portugal landed on the island in the 16th century and the country continued to administer the area until 1999.

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