While the quality of life (QoL) concept in tourism research has gained momentum, scholarly work has focused on host QoL and tourist-host relations, rather than exploring and analysing the perception, interpretation and understanding of QoL among different social groups in a given tourist destination. Macao is a densely populated tourism destination and designated World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, where local residents and migrants work and cohabit side by side. By broadening the scope of research through in-depth interviews, our research findings highlight how different social groups in Macao experience QoL differently. While all groups perceive positive economic impacts and appreciate career opportunities from tourism development, the analysis raises questions as to the QoL of residents and migrants, and the social sustainability of Macao. The study recommends that authorities embed a social sustainability focus in deliberations, policies and investment so as to achieve its goal of World Centre of Tourism and Leisure status, not only for tourists, but also for those who live and work there.

虽然旅游研究中的生活质量 (QoL) 概念获得了动力，但学术工作主要集中在东道主 QoL 和旅游东道主关系上，而不是探索和分析特定旅游者中不同社会群体对 QoL 的感知、解释和理解。目的地。澳门是人口稠密的旅游目的地和指定的世界旅游休闲中心，当地居民和外来务工人员在这里工作和同居。通过深入访谈拓宽研究范围，我们的研究结果突出了澳门不同社会群体对生活质量的不同体验。虽然所有群体都认为旅游业发展带来积极的经济影响并欣赏就业机会，但分析对居民和移民的生活质量以及澳门的社会可持续性提出了质疑。