Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has announced that package tours from mainland China are set to return to the SAR in November, while electronic visas are set to be re-issued between late October and early November, in a move aimed at reviving the city’s tourism industry and economy.
The measures have been unveiled in a press conference jointly held today (Saturday) by Ho Iat Seng following a meeting with Vice-Premier Han Zheng held on Friday, where Mr Han pledged “full support for Macau in accelerating its infrastructure construction and appropriately diversifying the economy.”
The package tour arrangement will include visitors from Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu Zhejiang and Shangai, places with higher consumption ability, the Chief Executive said.
The new measures are aimed at taking the city’s daily visitor tally to double to 40,000 from the current 20,000 figure, Mr Ho added.
No change to “7+3”
Asked if there would be changes to Macau’s “7+3” quarantine requirement for inbound travellers from locations outside of mainland China, Mr Ho said the arrangement remains in place.
Hong Kong authorities announced on Friday an end to the mandatory COVID-19 quarantine policy for all arrivals, starting from September 26, with travellers only undergoing a three-day medical surveillance at home.
“Hong Kong’s decision is not related to Macau,” Mr Ho said, adding that yesterday’s meeting with Vice-Premier Han Zheng did not address the easing of quarantine restrictions.
Considering Macau’s reliance on mainland China, “it’s impossible to cancel all restrictive measures for foreign arrivals”, Mr Ho noted.
Enhancing confidence
The decision comes as the SAR Government is about to initiate consultations with the seven companies bidding for the gaming concessions next week.
Secretary for Administration and Justice Andre Cheong Weng Chon, who also joined the press conference alongside Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong, said he believes that following the announcement of the central government’s favourable measures for visitors travelling to Macau, bidding companies’ confidence can be boosted.
The six incumbent gaming companies, who have been operating in Macau for many years, could evaluate visitor volume upon the resumption of electronic issuance of visas and package tours from the mainland. As for newcomer bidder Genting-linked GMM, they could still assess the figures from the previous data, it was added.
