MGM Resorts International is stepping up its promotional activities in Thailand, aiming to strengthen tourism ties and deepen engagement with Thai business and lifestyle partners.

The initiative reflects MGM’s broader strategy of expanding its international reach while reinforcing Macau as a global tourism and entertainment destination.

Strengthening Tourism Links Between Macau and Thailand

MGM recently hosted a Thai entrepreneur delegation in Macau, highlighting the city’s growing appeal as a hub for cultural tourism, luxury hospitality and entertainment.

“MGM has been proactively expanding our international reach in line with Macau’s development strategy,” said Dr Iwan Dietschi, Senior Vice President of Hospitality at MGM.

He added:

“Thailand has become a remarkable market at MGM. In 2025, we saw a 26% year-on-year increase in Thai hotel guests compared to 2024. With the exciting itinerary that our team has curated throughout this trip, including visits to MGM’s cultural tourism attractions such as the Poly MGM Museum and the Macau 2049 residency show, I sincerely hope that this experience will spark inspiration for future collaborations.”

Growing Interest from Thailand’s Business Community

Thai lifestyle and retail leaders also see growing opportunities in Macau’s evolving tourism ecosystem.

Ittirit Ratanadaros Umpujh, Managing Director of Emporium, emphasized the alignment between the two markets.

“At EM District, we take pride in being ‘Extraordinary’. MGM shares the same values, and we see tremendous potential in Macau, which is fast becoming a world-class hub for lifestyle and high-end entertainment.”

He added:

“Being part of this evolution alongside a visionary partner like MGM gives us great confidence in the path ahead. We look forward to deepening the relationship between EM District, the Thai entrepreneur delegation, and MGM, and setting a new benchmark for global partnerships.”

Why Thailand Matters to Macau’s Tourism Strategy

Thailand has emerged as one of Macau’s fastest-growing visitor markets in Southeast Asia.

Major Thai cities such as:

• Bangkok

• Phuket

have strong outbound travel demand, particularly among affluent leisure travelers.

For Macau operators, this represents an important opportunity to diversify visitor sources beyond mainland China.

The Role of Cultural Tourism

Macau’s integrated resorts are increasingly focusing on non-gaming attractions to support the city’s economic diversification strategy.

Examples include:

• museums and art exhibitions
• residency shows and cultural performances
• luxury retail experiences
• international culinary events

These offerings aim to position Macau as a broader entertainment and lifestyle destination, rather than solely a gaming hub.

Strategic Insight: Tourism Diplomacy Is Becoming a Key IR Strategy

MGM’s outreach to Thai business leaders highlights an emerging trend in the integrated resort industry.

Operators are increasingly engaging in tourism diplomacy, working with foreign tourism boards, entrepreneurs and cultural organizations to build stronger international visitor pipelines.

Such initiatives help:

• attract new tourism markets
• strengthen destination branding
• create cross-border partnerships in hospitality and lifestyle sectors

Final Take

MGM’s expanded promotional push in Thailand underscores a growing effort to strengthen tourism connections between Macau and Southeast Asia.

With rising visitor numbers from Thailand and increasing collaboration with regional business leaders, Macau’s integrated resorts are positioning themselves as global lifestyle destinations that extend well beyond gaming.