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MGTO scraps plans for Macau tourist tax as tourism industry hits rock bottom

Jane Ka Cheng Wong by Jane Ka Cheng Wong
Thu 2 Apr 2020 at 05:56
Macau visitor arrivals surge through May but length of stay on the decline
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The Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, says debate over whether Macau should implement a tourist tax on foreign arrivals into Macau has been put on hold due to greater concerns over the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The MGTO last year launched an investigation and public consultation into the idea which has been implemented in cities such as Venice, Italy. The concept is seen as a possible means of alleviating congestion in Macau due to the mass influx of visitors linked to the gaming industry.

However, Macau last week banned all foreign arrivals from entering Macau, with only mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan residents granted an exception.

With Guangdong also declaring mandatory quarantine on anyone entering the province from Macau, including Guangdong province residents, Macau visitor numbers have plummeted to less than 300 per day.

In the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Fernandes said the government would no longer consider its tourism tax policy given the current state of the industry.

“It would not be an appropriate time to talk about the tourism tax anymore,” she said. “We should think about how to recover our tourism market, and think about which guest markets can come back quickly and focus on it.”

The MGTO Director suggested the mainland China market could recover soon but said the tourism authority would also target more foreign markets once Macau’s tourism industry begins to stabilize.

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Tags: Coronaviruscovid-19Macao Government Tourism OfficeMacauMaria Helena de Senna FernandesMGTOtourist tax
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Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong is a journalist who joined Inside Asian Gaming after working for local Macau media for many years. As part of the IAG team she covers Macau-based stories relating to politics, gaming, IRs and local associations among other topics. Jane is intrigued by unique scenarios, vibrant cultures and different people, and hopes to continue exploring new places around the world in the future.

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