Sands China Ltd. and Guangdong-Macau Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Industrial Park Development Co., Ltd. (GMTCM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday to strengthen the development of the health tourism industry in Macao and Hengqin.
The signing ceremony took place at the GMTCM Park, located in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The goal of the agreement is to integrate tourism and health-related industries in both regions by using their combined strengths. This move is also in line with Macao’s broader strategy to diversify its economy through the “1+4” policy, which includes health as one of four key industries beyond tourism.
The partnership will focus on using Macao’s position as a global hub for tourism and leisure. The city also benefits from strong infrastructure and services, and its connection to the wider Greater Bay Area via a “one-hour living circle.” These advantages will help in promoting the growth of the Big Health industry, a term used in China to describe a broad sector including medical care, wellness, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Macao, a city where Eastern and Western cultures have blended for over 400 years, is also one of the four core cities in the Greater Bay Area. The collaboration between Sands China and GMTCM aims to use the unique strengths of both parties to drive regional cooperation. Their focus will include supporting local health brands, encouraging foreign and domestic investment, and combining efforts in tourism and health to create new economic opportunities.
The two companies plan to use their existing infrastructure, professional platforms, and event venues to attract health-related tourism and business events. This includes hosting conferences, exhibitions, and forums related to Big Health. These initiatives are designed to create a stronger link between the medical, wellness, and tourism sectors across Macao and Hengqin.
Grant Chum, CEO and Executive Director of Sands China Ltd., said the agreement reflects the company’s long-term commitment to Macao.
“We are proud to be the first integrated resort operator in Macao to sign an MOU with GMTCM,” said Chum. “Our goal is to link the tourism industry with the health sector, helping Macao become an active player in the global health tourism market. We plan to use our integrated resorts to promote wellness tourism through conferences, exhibitions, and new health-focused services.”
He added that the partnership will help develop a complete industrial chain for health tourism, positioning Macao and Hengqin as leading destinations in this emerging field.
Wu Song, Chairman of GMTCM Park, highlighted the importance of the collaboration.
“This is a major step in pushing forward the integration of tourism and Big Health in Macao and Hengqin,” said Wu. “Since China Taiping began operating the industrial park in early 2023, we’ve made strong progress with the support of central ministries and the Macao SAR government.”
Wu said the collaboration aligns with Macao’s 2025 Policy Address, which encourages partnerships that support key industries in both Macao and Hengqin. He sees great potential in the cooperation between GMTCM and Sands China in areas like product development, service upgrades, and market growth.
According to both sides, future joint projects may include creating new health-focused tourism products and services at Sands China’s integrated resorts and the GMTCM Park. These offerings would serve both tourists and residents, providing access to premium healthcare, wellness services, and medical tourism programs.
Together, Sands China and GMTCM aim to build a new model for regional development by blending traditional Chinese medicine with modern tourism. Their shared vision supports Macao’s long-term goal of becoming not just a tourism centre, but also a hub for health and wellness in the Greater Bay Area.
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