The neglected heritage of the religious resources in Macao SAR: a feasibility study on developing religious tourism

Macao is highly rich in various religious resources which have been neglected. In the 21st century, when there is an urge for a future development strategy in diversifying all tourism aspects, Macao, as a new potential religious tourism destination, might attract a great number of tourists and visitors by promoting religious resources associated with other available tourism resources. In fact, although the Historic Center of Macao, which includes religious sites of great significance from Catholic churches to Chinese temples or even a Protestant cemetery, was classified by UNESCO, there has not been a concrete strategy to promote those multiple religious sites. Moreover, the importance of religions and religious contexts for the tourists who visit Macao has been neglected.
This dissertation argues that the development and diversification of Macao’s tourism should not be disassociated from its religious and spiritual dimensions. Firstly, this study aims to lead to a progressive understanding of tourists’ perceptions and opinions towards religious tourism development in Macao through the analysis of all aspects of the most valuable religious resources in Macao. Secondly, it attempts to discover the feasibility on developing religious tourism and to explore the respective international market segment. Above all, it is conceived that religious tourism is an opportunity to develop all domains for Macao’s successful tourism diversification.
Through questionnaires, this study aims also to discover the religious needs of the international tourists in order to understand the motivation underlying the religion-based tourism. Based on the findings and the case study, this study hopes to provide suggestions and recommendations on how managing the religious sites and resources available in Macao, in order to enhance the understanding and respect of tourists and local citizens. Statistical analysis was adopted to analyze the motivation and perceptions of tourist regarding the importance of religion in the context of tourism. The results indicate tourist preferences and willingness to visit religious tourist attractions, holy places and holy sites as well as religious festivals and events. The findings of this thesis aim to contribute to providing useful information for formulating development strategies to fulfill the religious needs of Macao’s international tourism market.