China wants to transform Macao, known as the “Las Vegas of the East,” into a real Vegas that relies more on entertainment and tourism, and less on gambling for its revenues.
Luxury residences, a golf course and international airport have harmful environmental impacts, some locals argue. But they’re also big job creators in a tourism-driven economy.
“In the last several years, there’s been sort of an acceleration of an economic turnaround,” said Liz Alderman at the New York Times. “We’re basically at a point now where Greece is essentially booming.”