The Macau government is set to roll out a new subsidy programme aimed
at increasing tourism to the city. The scheme, which is being run by
the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), aims to attract more
tourists from overseas or Taiwan and encourage them to extend their
stay.
The subsidy plan offers local travel agencies up to MOP500 (US$61.80)
per night per tourist from “international markets”, for tour groups
consisting of at least four people. In addition, tours involving
visitors from Taiwan can qualify for a subsidy of up to MOP400
(US$49.44) per person, but each tour group must have a minimum of 10
people to be eligible.
This subsidy scheme, which covers tour groups from overseas and
Taiwan, follows a similar programme that has been in place since January
for tour groups from mainland China. The scheme for tour groups from
mainland China is set to run until the end of 2023.
The new programme has been welcomed as much-needed support for the
local travel trade, which is seeking to revive demand from source
markets with direct flights to Macau. The subsidy plan will be handled
by local travel agents in Macau, who will be responsible for the tour
itinerary and accommodation in licensed hotels. However, only tours
completed between 15 April and 15 July are eligible for the subsidy
scheme.
Tour groups from international markets can receive a MOP300
(US$37.08) grant per head for the first night of stay, with a maximum
subsidy of MOP500 (US$61.80) per person for tours of two consecutive
nights or more. Meanwhile, tour groups from Taiwan can receive a subsidy
of MOP250 (US$30.90) per person for the first night of stay, with a
maximum subsidy of MOP400 (US$49.44) per person for tours of two
consecutive nights or more.
The Macau government is hoping that the subsidy scheme will help to
boost tourism to the city, which saw 1.59 million visitor arrivals in
February, a major year-on-year improvement coinciding with the lifting
of most Covid-19 countermeasures in mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong
in early January. Overseas visitors accounted for 2.8% of the total in
February, or approximately 44,500 arrivals.