Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Macau Q1 GDP Falls 1.3 Percent as Economy Stays 15 Percent Below Pre-Pandemic Level

By: MerxWire
Macau is home to a large number of casino resorts, which are a major part of the city’s tourism and entertainment landscape. (Photo via MERXWIRE)

MACAU, CHINA (MERXWIRE) – Macau’s economy shrank slightly in the first quarter of 2024, according to new data released in early May by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). The city’s gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at MOP 99.78 billion, representing a real-year decline of 1.3%. The overall size of the economy remains at just 85.2% of the level recorded during the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global travel and tourism.

Economic Recovery Stalls Amid Shifting Tourist Spending

Despite a steady increase in tourist arrivals, Macau’s economic recovery appears to be slowing. In the first quarter, inbound visitor numbers rose by 11.1% year-on-year, marking a continued return of travelers to the region. However, this influx has not translated into stronger economic output. The DSEC attributed the slowdown to changes in consumption behavior among tourists, which led to a real-year decline of 3.8% in the export of other tourism-related services.

Macau, home to the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre, has long captivated visitors with its unique fusion of Portuguese and Chinese cultures, vibrant culinary scene, and well-preserved architecture. Though compact in size—just 33.3 square kilometers—the city is home to over 170 tourist attractions. In 1999, only 7 million tourists visited Macau. As of December 7, 2024, that number had surged to over 32.54 million, roughly 47 times the city’s population.

Nevertheless, the structural dependence on a narrow set of economic drivers, particularly the gaming sector, continues to limit diversified growth. The drop in service exports beyond gaming-related activities reflects Macau’s ongoing vulnerability to changes in visitor behavior and global economic conditions.

The iconic Ruins of St. Paul’s showcase Macau’s rich cultural heritage, a key asset in its push to grow non-gaming tourism. (Photo via MERXWIRE)

Gaming Revenue Rebounds, but Dependence Deepens

While tourism-linked services contracted, the city’s gaming industry remains a dominant force in the economy. According to data published by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau on May 2, gross gaming revenue in 2024 reached MOP 226.7 billion, an increase of MOP 43.7 billion over the previous year.

Government projections for 2025 suggest further growth, with gaming revenue expected to reach MOP 240 billion—an 11% increase year-on-year. These numbers underscore the city’s continued reliance on casino operations, despite repeated policy statements aimed at promoting economic diversification.

Historically, Macau’s gaming revenue has far outpaced that of other global casino hubs. In December 2013 alone, monthly revenue hit MOP 33.46 billion, with full-year figures reaching MOP 360.75 billion—about seven times the revenue of Las Vegas casinos at the time. The current rebound in gaming revenue, while welcome, also reflects a return to pre-pandemic economic patterns rather than a shift toward new sectors.

The Macao Venetian’s grand canals and luxury shops reflect Macau’s strategy of combining tourism, retail, and gaming to attract global visitors. (Photo via MERXWIRE)

Government Measures to Stabilize Economy and Support Households

In response to continued inflationary pressure and modest growth, the Macau government has implemented measures to share economic gains with the public. In April 2024, the government announced the latest phase of its annual cash handout scheme, officially known as the “Wealth Partaking Scheme.”

Under this program, eligible permanent residents will receive MOP 10,000 each, while non-permanent residents will receive MOP 6,000. The initiative aims to support domestic consumption and offer some relief amid rising living costs, without jeopardizing the city’s public finances.

Macau’s Q1 GDP decline, though modest, highlights the fragility of its recovery path. As global tourism stabilizes, the city faces the dual challenge of revitalizing its non-gaming sectors while maintaining its competitive edge in casino tourism.

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.