Global AI-first travel technology firm Dida and Macau-based hospitality operator SJM Resorts S.A. have formalised a strategic collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 31 August. The agreement was inked on the sidelines of the Macao Economic, Trade, and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminar held in Singapore, a gathering designed to spotlight Macau's tourism and business potential to international investors and industry players.
The MoU sets the stage for joint efforts to market Macau's hospitality offerings to a broader global audience. Under the partnership, Dida and SJM will explore a dedicated room and dining package programme centred on the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. Select packages will be channelled through Dida's worldwide B2B distribution network, giving travel partners in key source markets access to these curated experiences.
Strategic alignment with Macau's tourism push
The signing took place during a seminar that brought together government officials and industry representatives to showcase Macau's evolving tourism landscape. The event was attended by Che Weng Keong, Alex, President of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao Special Administrative Region, while Cheng Wai Tong, Deputy Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), delivered the opening address. Their presence underscores the importance of such private-public collaborations in driving Macau's international tourism recovery and diversification.
For Dida, the partnership aligns with its mission to leverage artificial intelligence in matching travellers with distinctive, high-value experiences. Daryl Lee, Group Chief Executive of Dida, commented: “Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau is exactly the kind of differentiated, high-value experience that today’s international traveller is actively searching for. This partnership gives our B2B partners a distinctive, story-worthy reason to introduce their travellers to Macao, and it lets our AI-driven distribution network do what it does best: matching the right traveller, in the right market, with the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau experiences that resonate most with them. We look forward to working with SJM to bring these room and dining experiences to a global network of travel partners.”
Gerard Walker, SJM's Chief Hospitality Officer, echoed that sentiment, adding: “Through our collaboration with Dida, we are bringing Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau to a broader international audience. By combining our hospitality offerings with Dida’s global network, we look forward to attracting more visitors to Macau and expanding the reach of SJM’s integrated resort experiences in key overseas markets.”
The move comes as Macau continues to reposition itself beyond its traditional gaming-centric appeal, focusing on integrated resort experiences, cultural tourism, and MICE offerings. The partnership with Dida is expected to give SJM access to a wider range of travel buyers, particularly in long-haul markets where Dida has established distribution channels.
Dida's AI-driven platform is designed to optimise the match between traveller preferences and available inventory, a capability that could prove valuable for SJM as it seeks to attract discerning travellers seeking unique stays. The collaboration also reflects a broader trend of travel technology companies partnering with hospitality groups to enhance distribution efficiency and personalisation.
For travel agents and tour operators, the new packages will offer a compelling reason to include Macau in their itineraries. The Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, with its extensive dining options and integrated resort amenities, is positioned to appeal to both leisure and business travellers. The partnership is expected to roll out select packages to international travel partners in the coming months.
This development is part of a wider effort by Macau to diversify its tourism source markets. Recent initiatives, such as the digital push by Hainan, highlight the competitive landscape in the region. Macau's focus on high-quality hospitality and unique experiences is likely to resonate with travellers seeking alternatives to more crowded destinations.
As the travel industry continues to recover, partnerships like this one between Dida and SJM are indicative of a more data-driven, personalised approach to destination marketing. The use of AI to match travellers with specific resort experiences could become a model for other hospitality groups looking to expand their international reach.
With the MoU now in place, both companies are expected to work closely to define the specific package offerings and distribution strategies. The success of this collaboration could pave the way for similar agreements between technology providers and hospitality operators in the region.
