• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Sunday 14 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

SJM reveals eco-friendly features of new Cotai IR

Fitch expecting SJM’s EBITDA leverage to widen in 2025 on slowing growth of Grand Lisboa Palace, satellite casino uncertainty

Sat 13 Sep 2025 at 10:57
POST-COVID5: Re-opening mood is growing. What will drive the ramp-up?

Macau gaming tax climbs to new post-pandemic high of MOP$8.31 billion in August

Fri 12 Sep 2025 at 06:20
Artyzen Grand Lapa: Enjoy Macau in the heart of it

MGM China to pay up to US$26 million to Shun Tak in 2025 for use of Macau hotel rooms

Thu 11 Sep 2025 at 21:39
As online gaming surges, Newport CEO Rodriguez says IRs must remain central to the Philippines’ tourism ambitions

As online gaming surges, Newport CEO Rodriguez says IRs must remain central to the Philippines’ tourism ambitions

Thu 11 Sep 2025 at 05:26
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

Crane NXT to improve counterfeit detection abilities via planned full acquisition of Italian inspection and detection firm Antares Vision

Crane NXT to improve counterfeit detection abilities via planned full acquisition of Italian inspection and detection firm Antares Vision

by Newsdesk
Sat 13 Sep 2025 at 11:12

Crane NXT – the parent company of currency and payments technology form CPI – says it has signed definitive agreements to acquire a significant stake in Italian inspection and detection systems firm Antares Vision S.p.A. with the intention of taking...

SJM reveals eco-friendly features of new Cotai IR

Fitch expecting SJM’s EBITDA leverage to widen in 2025 on slowing growth of Grand Lisboa Palace, satellite casino uncertainty

by Ben Blaschke
Sat 13 Sep 2025 at 10:57

The EBITDA leverage of Macau concessionaire SJM Holdings is expected to increase to more than 8x in 2025, widened from 7.0x in 2024, due to squeezed margins at the company’s Cotai integrated resort Grand Lisboa Palace and the impact of...

Aristocrat in leadership shakeup with former Light & Wonder exec Dylan Slaney to lead online unit, Barry French taking over corporate affairs

Aristocrat in leadership shakeup with former Light & Wonder exec Dylan Slaney to lead online unit, Barry French taking over corporate affairs

by Newsdesk
Fri 12 Sep 2025 at 07:20

Aristocrat Leisure Limited has announced the impending departures of two key executives, with Aristocrat Interactive CEO Moti Malul to step down in March 2026 and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Natalie Toohey exiting immediately. In an ASX filing, Aristocrat said that...

POST-COVID5: Re-opening mood is growing. What will drive the ramp-up?

Macau gaming tax climbs to new post-pandemic high of MOP$8.31 billion in August

by Newsdesk
Fri 12 Sep 2025 at 06:20

According to data released by Macau’s Financial Services Bureau, the Macau government’s revenue from gaming taxes in August was approximately MOP$8.31 billion (US$1.04 billion), around 2.5% higher than the MOP$8.31 billion (US$1.01 billion) collected in July. The August tax figure...

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