Macao has announced a citywide data-driven tourism initiative so tourists can discover local businesses with “greater precision”.
The tripartite strategic cooperation memorandum between Sands China, Alibaba’s navigation app Amap, and the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is part of Macao’s wider efforts to actively tap Artificial Intelligence (AI) to advance service efficiency in tourism.
As part of the city’s digital tourism evolution, travellers can test out the world’s first “flying” street map view.
Designed by Chinese mapping giant Gaode Maps, also known as Amap, it works just like Google Maps but goes a notch higher since it allows users to move in, out and around landmarks.
Apart from 360-degree aerial views of the city, it is possible to land on the Ruins of St. Paul's and St. Dominic's Church, while navigating neighborhoods and zooming into local shops.
Amap – which debuted in September 2025 – also provides digital location tools to help bypass map positioning errors, and in-store reservation features.
Official launch of the Macao City Life Support Program on 27 March. Photo Credit: Sands China
To encourage local merchants' digital adoption and let these businesses gain better visibility, the Macao City Life Support Program builds AI-powered digital storefronts into Amap, offers offline digital training, runs influencer-driven promotions and will pump millions in vouchers to incentivise app users.
Already, businesses have reported positive results from the programme, which has directed some 380 million visits to restaurants, attractions and hotels since its launch.
Pastelaria Yeng Kee, a heritage brand with a 98-year history, reported a 23% increase in average daily sales at its Rua das Estalagens location after adopting the feature.
Foodie footprints
To ensure travellers get a good taste of Macao’s position as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, the city has launched Macao Authentic Delicacies – a ranking system based on actual store visits.
The ranking covers six categories, namely popular dim sum restaurants, specialty dessert shops, eateries, street-side noodle shops, local milk tea and coffee spots, and neighbourhood cha chaan tengs (cafes).
Amap Street Stars operates on a “vote with their feet” system. Using navigation and store visit data to help visitors evaluate merchants, the broader ranking system lists 985 businesses – of which 96 restaurants, attractions and hotels are selected for the Champion List.
Sands China, which offers over 150 restaurants, is the first integrated resort (IR) to integrate Amap’s digital ecosystem into its Sands Lifestyle membership platform.
The IR added that future plans are in the pipeline to deliver a seamless experience from online outreach to offline consumption.
Users looking for major attractions while researching food stops may additionally tap on the curated Citywalk routes for suggestions.