Macau concessionaire Sands China told Inside Asian Gaming it has never charged any entry fees to its Macau integrated resorts amid calls for a crackdown on illegal tour group operators.
The comments were in response to reports that a tour group operator from mainland China had charged its customers RMB200 (US$28) each to enter The Venetian Macao. In response to IAG’s inquiries, Sands China confirmed that none of its resorts have ever charged any entrance fee.
The incident was circulated on mainland social platform “Little Red Book” (Xiaohongshu). A mainland tour group alleged on the platform that another group seen marketing a luxury five-day, four-night tour to Hong Kong and Macau charged its guests for various “expenses” including Venetian tour tickets at RMB200.
While such reports did not suggest Sands China was in any way involved, the company clarified, “Since its roots in Macau, Sands China has never charged any entrance fees at any of its resorts. We will continue to welcome visitors from all over the world to experience the charms of a world center of tourism and leisure.”
The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has already noted the allegations with Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes stating that any licensed tour group operator found to be engaging in such practices would be fined and could lose its license.
However, Macau Travel Industry Council president, Andy Wu Keng Kuong, noted that many such instances involved unlicensed operators.
“We have recently discovered that there are some illegal tour groups entering Macau, some of which are mainlanders leading group tours into Macau.
“Travel agencies must not give wrong information to mainland tourists and should not deceive them.”
Tour group operators are required to list out all expenses when its customers sign-up, he added.
“Relevant violations have been discovered recently, and the tourism industry hopes the MGTO can strengthen its crackdown,” Wu said.
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