• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Thursday 18 September 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

Macau tourist tax not the solution to over-tourism problem: scholar

Ben Blaschke by Ben Blaschke
Wed 22 May 2019 at 16:39
Macau welcomes record monthly visitation in December 2018
777
SHARES
1k
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

A tourist tax being proposed by the Macao Government Tourism Office is the wrong path to take in combatting “over-tourism” to the Macau, according to a leading scholar.

Professor Glenn McCartney, Associate Professor in International Integrated Resort Management, University of Macau, told Inside Asian Gaming at G2E Asia on Wednesday that applying a tourism tax was not the correct solution for Macau in its pursuit of a higher quality but lower volume of visitation.

“We’ve identified that there is a problem and are now looking for solutions to over-tourism, but is it a good solution? I don’t believe a tourist tax is the cure for the problem we’ve got right now,” McCartney said.

“The main reason is that people don’t really like paying tax from a visitors’ point of view. If I’m a premium mass player or a business traveller and you’re slapping another tax on me as I’m coming across the border, I’m not going to be too happy about it.

“Macau is looking at this tax because Vienna is looking at this tax, but when you’re a city that relies so heavily on the casino industry I don’t think the tourist tax is the way forward.”

His comments follow an MGTO announcement on Tuesday that it has commenced a feasibility study on the proposed tourist tax, including a public opinion poll that will run for the next month.

McCartney said he fully supports the idea of public consultation but added the best way to attract high quality visitation is to implement a comprehensive branding strategy, rather than a tourist tax, for the SAR.

“Branding is at the top of my tick box of what you can do,” he said.

“When you look at the Las Vegas sign, it immediately puts images into your mind, sending a message of an entertainment city, events, conventions. That’s what Macau’s brand has to do. The logo, the slogans – it needs to give the perception to the visitor that Macau is where they want to go and want to pay money to stay, go to a conference, dine and see events.”

RelatedPosts

Macau GGR hits MOP$19.8 billion in August, up 6% month-on-month

Government figures indicate Macau’s gaming industry recorded US$17.9 billion surplus in 2024

Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 18:04
Melco’s Tokyo office raided by Public Prosecutor as Akimoto scandal deepens

Melco prices new notes offering at US$500 million

Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 06:16
The changing face of Macau

Melco to launch private hospital at Macau’s Studio City as part of 10-year non-gaming concession commitment

Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 05:06
Police arrest 100 people after detecting 62 cases of illegal money exchange in joint Macau operation

Police arrest 100 people after detecting 62 cases of illegal money exchange in joint Macau operation

Mon 15 Sep 2025 at 22:58
Load More
Tags: Glenn McCartneyMacauMGTOtourismtourist tax
Share752Share3
Ben Blaschke

Ben Blaschke

A former sports journalist in Sydney, Australia, Ben has been Managing Editor of Inside Asian Gaming since early 2016. He played a leading role in developing and launching IAG Breakfast Briefing in April 2017 and oversees as well as being a key contributor to all of IAG’s editorial pursuits.

Current Issue

Editorial – Flipping the script

Editorial – Flipping the script

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:30

This month represents an important milestone for Inside Asian Gaming as we launch IAG EXPO – an expansion of the...

Asia market roundup

Asia market roundup

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:26

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the state of Asia-Pacific’s key gaming markets: who’s hot, who’s not and...

Rewriting the rules

Rewriting the rules

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:43

IAG EXPO, taking place at Newport World Resorts from 8 to 10 September, is not your usual trade show. IAG...

Test of character

Test of character

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:28

Since its establishment in 1989, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has developed into the world’s most trusted name when it comes...

Evolution Asia
Evolution Asia
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
NWR
NWR

Related Posts

10 Years Ago – Reimagining Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan cabinet approves budget proposal to increase betting levy, double casino entry for locals

by Newsdesk
Thu 18 Sep 2025 at 02:27

The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved a proposal in the country’s 2025 budget that will see the betting levy increased and casino entry fee for locals doubled. According to a report by local business media outlet Economy Next, Cabinet Spokesman...

CDC Gaming announces reimagined Day Zero Party including “10 Women Rising in Gaming” presentation at Resorts World Las Vegas’ Allē Lounge on 66, on 5 October 2025, the Sunday prior to G2E

CDC Gaming announces reimagined Day Zero Party including “10 Women Rising in Gaming” presentation at Resorts World Las Vegas’ Allē Lounge on 66, on 5 October 2025, the Sunday prior to G2E

by Newsdesk
Thu 18 Sep 2025 at 02:08

CDC Gaming, the premier source of news, commentary and analysis for the gaming industry in the Americas and sister company to Inside Asian Gaming, has announced a revamped, reimagined and refreshed Day Zero Party ahead of this year’s Global Gaming...

Wynn says UAE development contribution to total around US$900 million as Thailand opportunity looms large

Cryptocurrency payments, smart table rollout across all games among technology innovations being planned at Wynn Al Marjan Island

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 18 Sep 2025 at 02:01

Wynn Al Marjan Island is looking to open with smart gaming tables installed across all or most of its gaming areas and payment options that include cryptocurrencies, the company has revealed. David Patent, Executive Vice President, Gaming Operations at Wynn’s...

Interview with Newport World Resorts’ Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez

Interview with Newport World Resorts’ Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez

by Newsdesk
Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 19:04

IAG sat down with Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez – the President and CEO of Newport World Resorts – to discuss the property’s recent market share gains and what new features and attractions we can expect to see in the coming months.

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 中文
  • 日本語

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 中文
  • 日本語
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • 中文
  • English
  • 日本語