Abstract:The total number of arrivals to Macau has reached a historical height in 2013，exacerbating the negative impacts of tourism and triggering deep concerns over the urban carrying capacity by the community. Doubts were widely casted over the positioning of Macau as a world tourism and leisure centre. Facing with the public opinion，the Government has promised to review the Individual Travel Scheme and to conduct a study on the demographic carrying capacity. Measures were also taken to divert visitors to other neighbourhoods. Fundamentally speaking，controversies over urban carrying capacity is a question of policy orientation，whose core lies in balancing the interests between local residents and visitors in order to safeguard a coordinated economic and social development. In building a world tourism and leisure centre，both elements of tourism and leisure must be accounted for. The creation of a leisure atmosphere is incomplete without an understanding，cooperation and participation by local residents. It can be foreseen that the conflicts between population growth and resource scarcity will continue to exist. In view of this，it is suggested that the urban carrying capacity could be elevated through obtaining new resources，utilising excessive resources and scientific management. Considerations should also be given to reduce the number of visitors in an appropriate manner，or to distribute visitors to neighbourhoods which are still capable of receiving them.
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