Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Futuro do turismo (inclui fronteiras com a China) numeros I

nov22
Grande Prémio de Macau não mexeu na média de entradas no território, que durante o evento desportivo não ultrapassaram as 20.000 por dia. À margem da apresentação do Festival de Cerveja Macau-Qingdao, o subdirector da DST confessou que a quarentena de 5+3 não ajudou a atrair turistas
Hoje macaui 25/11/22

out22
In retrospect, Macao's preventive and recovery measures during the initial Covid-19 epidemic outbreak were effective. Advisable is to learn from its policies design and implementation to control virus spread. The research questions of this paper are twofold. First, what are the main measures implemented by Macao Special Administrative Region(SAR) to prevent the spread of Covid 19? And what are the effects of these governmental policies? Second, what strategies are proposed for Macao's tourism industry in the era of the post-Covid 19 Pandemic? The results showed that effective regulations helped this tourism city to prevent the spread of the contagious virus and achieve recovery of the tourism industry in a short time.
https://cpfd.cnki.com.cn/Article/CPFDTOTAL-AMCS202206001006.htm


fev22

Na opinião de Ho Ion Sang, deve haver mais medidas para estimular a recuperação do turismo, sendo que uma das mais viáveis passa pela introdução de feiras e mercados regulares nos bairros antigos. Em concreto, o deputado propôs que seja estudado o exemplo de Taiwan, onde existem muitos mercados nocturnos regularmente, ligados à gastronomia e arte. https://jtm.com.mo/local/defendidas-feiras-regulares-para-animar-turismo/


 

jan22
so´em 2025
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the Macau SAR economy will only reach pre-pandemic levels by 2025, stressing that to maintain economic growth local authorities should avoid premature fiscal tightening and boost vaccination rates. The estimates were published as preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit to the SAR. ‘[Macau’s] GDP is projected to grow by 15 per cent in 2022 driven by the gradual return of foreign tourists and the recovery of domestic demand. Boosted by increasing investment linked to the issuance of new gaming concessions and further integration with the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), growth is expected to accelerate to 23 per cent in 2023 before gradually converging to its long‑term potential of around 3.5 per cent over the medium term,’ the IMF noted in a preliminary statement report. https://www.macaubusiness.com/macaus-economy-to-only-recover-to-pre-pandemic-levels-by-2025-imf/--
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VER FRONTEIRAS II
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jan22
Mais de seis mil de pessoas em Macau estão com código amarelo na sequência de se terem deslocado a Tanzhou e Nanping, zonas onde surgiram novos casos de Covid-19, segundo revelou o Chefe do Executivo. Mais de mil pessoas estão em isolamento e sujeitas a dois testes de ácido nucleico a cada três dias. Este é o balanço actualizado após o registo de mais nove casos em Zhuhai, que coloca novamente a alteração da validade de resultado negativo do teste de ácido nucleico para entrada na RAEM, passando de 48 horas para 24 horas desde ontem.
https://pontofinal-macau.com/2022/01/17/casos-de-covid-19-nas-cidades-vizinhas-deixam-seis-mil-com-codigo-amarelo-na-raem/


jan22

Starting from the stroke of midnight on Friday (January 14), all those arriving in Macau from mainland China via either inland or maritime checkpoints must possess a ‘negative’ Covid-19 nucleic acid test result obtained in the prior 48 hours, said the city’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre in a Thursday announcement.

Those that do not hold Macau ID could be refused entry if they do not comply, said the local Covid-19 task force. Up until Friday, visitors have been allowed entry with a test result obtained within the prior seven days.

The upped testing rule for inbound travellers coincides with news of a fresh Covid-19 infection case only 10 kilometres (6 miles) from Macau, in Tanzhou Town, part of Zhongshan in Guangdong province. Chinese-language media said on Thursday it involved a 24-year-old woman living and working in Tanzhou. Reports did not mention what strain of Covid-19 the woman was thought to have.
https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-ups-covid-test-inbound-amid-guangdong-case-nearby/ 

The Macau government tightened its border restrictions with neighbouring Zhuhai on Thursday, with anyone entering Macau from mainland China required to show a negative test result obtained within the previous 48 hours. The new measure, which reduces the testing time frame from seven days, comes after a positive COVID-19 case was detected in Tanzhou, Zhongshan city, located in Guangdong Province. Zhongshan city borders Zhuhai city and many residents and workers in Macau live in the city from where they commute each day. Tanzhou was immediately locked down to prohibit anyone from leaving and Macau has also implemented a 14-day quarantine measure on travellers arriving from Tanzhou. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2022/01/14/macau-tightens-border-restrictions-with-zhuhai-after-mystery-covid-19-cases-surfaces-in-zhongshan-city/


jan22

As políticas anti-corrupção adoptadas nos últimos anos pelo Interior da China são um dos principais factores que afastam turistas de Macau. Esta é a conclusão de um estudo elaborado por três académicos das Universidade Cidade de Macau, Martin Tang, Grace Chan e Yvonne He, publicado na Revista Internacional de Investigação em Ciências Sociais, com o título “Quais são as barreiras ao regresso dos turistas do Interior a Macau, no contexto das políticas anti-corrupção”.

O estudo foi feito com base em 47 entrevistas a turistas do Interior e apontou três factores principais que levam à diminuição da vontade de visitar Macau: a implementação de políticas anti-corrupção mais rigorosas, as restrições de circulação e exigência de resultados negativos de testes de ácido nucleico e a redução dos rendimentos causada pela crise da covid-19.

“Segundo este estudo, a maioria dos inquiridos referiu de forma repetida as políticas, em particular as acções contra a corrupção, a realização obrigatória de testes de ácido nucleico e as burocracias ligadas aos processos de entrada e saída como factores que afectam de forma negativa a vontade de viajar”, é indicado nas conclusões. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2022/01/07/estudo-politicas-anti-corrupcao-e-efeitos-da-covid-19-afastam-turistas/


jan22
As autoridades de Macau anunciaram esta quarta-feira que “a fim de reduzir um eventual risco associado à Covid-19 para a saúde pública”, passa a ser proibido “o transporte de indivíduos por aviões civis provenientes de regiões fora do Interior da China com o destino Macau”. A suspensão dos voos acontece entre 9 e 23 de janeiro. Esta é a mais recente medida de combate à pandemia adotada pelas autoridades da antiga colónia portuguesa, que desde março de 2020 apenas autoriza a entrada de portadores de Bilhete de Identidade de Residente. As pessoas autorizadas a entrar no território têm de chegar com teste negativo e de cumprir uma quarentena, num hotel designado, de 21 ou 28 dias. https://observador.pt/2022/01/05/macau-suspende-todos-os-voos-do-estrangeiro-durante-duas-semanas-por-causa-da-covid-19/

Surreal, absurda, obsoleta, injusta, exagerada, discriminatória. Estes são alguns dos adjectivos que residentes de Macau referiram ao PONTO FINAL quando instados a comentar a nova proibição de transporte de indivíduos por aviões civis provenientes de regiões fora da China com destino a Macau.
https://pontofinal-macau.com/2022/01/07/residentes-desesperam-com-proibicao-de-voos-internacionais/



dez21
O futuro é HK

For Macau, we can travel to the mainland, unlike in Hong Kong. They have been living in their city for two years with nowhere to go. Hong Kong residents are famous for having the [desire] to travel. Pre-pandemic, [studies show they go on] five trips per year.  If Hong Kong comes to Macau, it’s going to be the best TV commercial for mainland to travel to Macau because Hong Kong [residents] traveling to Macau is going to be major news. I personally think we have high expectations about Hong Kong’s [easing of] border policy. I’ve said for a long time, Hong Kong’s gaming revenue contribution is only 10 to 15% but its overall contribution factor is not only that: […] it sends the strongest message across mainland China. https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/qa-kenneth-feng-president-and-chief-strategic-financial-officer-mgm-china-mass-premium-market-the-focal-point-of-mgm-as-it-enhances-offerings-to-segment.html


dez21
quarantine for 28 days 
Travellers from 22 countries face extra-tough arrival procedures – including four weeks in quarantine – starting next week, health authorities have announced. The countries in question have been judged to carry an “extremely high risk” of Covid-19 in the light of the Omicron variant’s rapid spread in recent weeks. From 6 January, “extremely high-risk” passengers arriving in Macao will go straight into quarantine for 28 days – up from the previous three weeks – and will also be required to present three consecutive negative nucleic acid test certificates carried out at least 24 hours apart from each other within five days. https://macaonews.org/covid-19/extremely-high-risk-arrivals-face-28-days-quarantine-starting-6-january/

dez21

Macau has the potential to attract repeat visits from mainland China consumers via non-gaming offers at the city’s casino resorts, looking beyond the exceptional trading conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Jane Jie Sun, chief executive of Chinese online travel service provider Trip.com Group in an interview with GGRAsia. The appeal of Macau as a holiday destination for mainland tourists was strong, irrespective of the Macau government’s recent incentives programme, suggested Ms Sun. What would make such appeal even stronger, would be to offer more entertainment performances (example pictured) and sports events.Since September 2020, Macau has been running a consumer-spending stimulus scheme aimed at mainland tourists, including discounts on flights and hotel rooms, to revive the city’s tourism trade amid Covid-19 disruption. Trip.com has been helping with that, via methods including distribution of consumer coupons. The two parties have seen Macau-bound travel bookings made via Trip.com Group’s platforms increase by “244 percent” year-on-year for the first half of 2021, though the company did not specify the base number, according to a December 9 release. Ms Sun noted, referring to Trip.com’s global business: “Although we have very good prices [offered] on our [booking] platform, we never brand ourselves as the lowest-price leader.” https://www.ggrasia.com/op-non-gaming-to-aid-macau-repeat-visits-says-trip-com-ceo/


dez21

Secretary of Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong stated today (Monday) that the increase in the number of tourist numbers in SAR and their duration of stay has been maintained in December, however many uncertainties remain concerning the recovery of the local economy in 2022. “There was an improvement in tourist numbers and most of them now stay overnight for 3.3 nights on average, a longer period of time. We currently report some 30,000 visitors per day and if they are staying for longer it will be better for all sectors,” the Secretary said after a ceremony to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of the Macau SAR. https://www.macaubusiness.com/economic-recovery-stable-despite-continued-pandemic-uncertainty-secretary-of-economy/

dez21

Macau should continue to increase the number of entertainment offerings and events so as to make the SAR more attractive as a destination to an increasingly higher number of younger mainland tourists with disposable income, Trip.com Chief Executive Officer and Director, Jane Jie Sun. said today (Thursday) in an interview with Macau News Agency.Sun was present in the city today for the group’s first summit in the city, the 2021 Trip.com Global Partner Summit held at Sheraton, telling MNA that despite the pandemic ups-and-downs this year interest for travel to Macau has remained high for mainland tourists. https://www.macaubusiness.com/sar-should-cater-more-to-new-generation-of-high-income-mainland-millennial-travellers-trip-com-ceo/

dez21

Covid outlook could help travel to Macau, says Trip.com CEO

“Positive data” regarding mainland China and Macau’s containment of the Covid-19 virus would create a chance to “reconsider” policy on inbound trips to Macau, said Jane Jie Sun (pictured), chief executive of Trip.com Group Ltd, China’s largest travel services company, in an interview with GGRAsia. https://www.ggrasia.com/covid-outlook-could-help-travel-to-macau-says-trip-com-ceo/



dez21

A situação epidemiológica a nível mundial deverá continuar a ser, em 2022, “inconsistente”, previu ontem a Secretária para os Assuntos Sociais e Cultura, acrescentando que “o aparecimento de novas variantes do vírus trará mais incertezas e desafios para os trabalhos de prevenção e controlo de epidemias”. Na apresentação das Linhas de Acção Governativa (LAG) para 2022, Elsie Ao Ieong garantiu que o Governo da RAEM vai “empenhar-se com todos os esforços e fazer os preparativos adequados” para fazer face a estas incertezas. Em concreto, disse que o Executivo vai continuar a rever e a aperfeiçoar o mecanismo e os planos de contingência existentes para colmatar as lacunas baseando nas lições e experiências passadas e integrar o mecanismo de cooperação inter-regional da prevenção e controlo da COVID-19 para implementar “cientificamente” e ajustar “dinamicamente” várias medidas de prevenção e controlo. https://jtm.com.mo/local/novas-variantes-virus-vao-trazer-mais-incertezas-desafios/


nov21
Wong Kit Cheng e Agnes Lam afirmam ao PLATAFORMA que Macau é completamente impotente na questão das fronteiras
Macau prevê relaxar as restrições fronteiriças em 2022, contudo, de acordo com Agnes Lam, presidente da Associação Energia Cívica, e Wong Kit Cheng, deputada da Assembleia Legislativa, apenas Hong Kong e a China continental beneficiarão. Abrir ao mundo continua fora dos planos, numa altura em que a procura por trabalhadores domésticos aumenta, e o Executivo precisa de uma taxa de vacinação elevada para se sentar à mesa com as autoridades chinesas
Wong Kit Cheng e Agnes Lam afirmam ao PLATAFORMA que Macau é completamente impotente na questão das fronteiras. A evolução da taxa de vacinação tem permitido mais diálogo sobre possíveis medidas de controlo e prevenção conjuntas, e espera-se que as restrições em Hong Kong e Macau diminuam. No entanto, quanto à entrada de estrangeiros, Agnes Lam confessa não estar otimista. https://www.plataformamedia.com/2021/11/26/fronteiras-macau-tem-um-longo-caminho-pela-frente/


nov21
IMPRENSA ESTATAL CHINESA PRESSIONA CHINA???
Mainland, HK, Macao entrepreneurs and young people yearn for border reopening to better integrate into Greater Bay Area.As the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region (HKSAR) are expected to resume quarantine-free travel soon, entrepreneurs and young people from South China's Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao said they are all yearning for the reopening of the border to better integrate into the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.  https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202111/1240094.shtml

nov21
CHINA PREJUDICA

HONG KONG, Nov 29 (Reuters Breakingviews) - China’s commitment to a Covid-zero policy turns Macau into a roll of the dice. Beijing’s draconian restrictions easily could be in place through most of 2022. Resorts in the gambling hub sit half-empty, with gaming revenue at 30% of pre-pandemic highs. They can live without foreign tourists, but local visitors are their lifeblood. https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/chinas-bet-covid-zero-worsens-odds-macau-2021-11-29/

nov21
Ontem, na Assembleia Legislativa, o deputado Ma Io Fong pediu ao Governo que lute pela normal abertura de fronteiras entre Guangdong, Hong Kong e Macau com vista à recuperação do turismo. Já Si Ka Lon defendeu que se deve acelerar a definição de critérios de prevenção entre as três partes para que, quando for necessário, se bloqueiem as zonas afectadas sem fechar a fronteira. Ma Io Fong pediu ontem ao Executivo para “lutar” pela normal abertura de fronteiras com Guangdong e Hong Kong até ao final do ano, por forma a “restaurar a vitalidade da economia comunitária”. No período de antes da ordem do dia, o deputado apontou ainda que a taxa de vacinação contra a COVID-19 no território já atingiu 70%.

“Nos últimos dias, a taxa de vacinação em Macau ultrapassou os 70%, e com o aumento gradual da taxa de vacinação, os três territórios já implementaram o registo de itinerários e há 48 dias que não há novos casos em Macau. Sugere-se que se lute para que a passagem das fronteiras entre Guangdong, Hong Kong e Macau volte ao normal antes do final do ano, atraindo visitantes a Macau e dinamizando a comunidade”, apelou. Sublinhando que a prevenção rigorosa é a premissa para garantir a abertura em contínuo das fronteiras, Ma Io Fong sugeriu que o Governo “atraia e incentive” os visitantes a utilizar o sistema de registo do itinerário, na nova aplicação do código de saúde, para garantir a sua própria segurança e ao mesmo tempo elevar o nível de prevenção na RAEM. https://jtm.com.mo/local/governo-instado-lutar-pela-reabertura-hong-kong/



nov21

Individuals intending to leave Macau by plane or ferry can now show a negative COVID-19 test certificate obtained with the previous seven days, relaxed from a previous 48-hour requirement. Macau’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced the latest step forward on Wednesday, although officials warned that the test requirement may be dependent on the destination. People travelling from Macau to Beijing, for example, are still required to present a test result issued within 48 hours. In addition, people intending to enter Macau by air from any mainland China city are required to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate with a validity of seven days starting from the day after the sampling date. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/11/25/macau-border-rules-further-relaxed-with-covid-19-test-validity-extended-to-7-days/

nov21

Covid-19-related travel restrictions and the resultant slow recovery in gross gaming revenue will remain the biggest near-term threat for Macau casino operators, according to S&P Global Ratings.  This is according to a presentation published by S&P Global Ratings today titled, “Macau Gaming: COVID Remains The Wild Card.” The ratings agency forecasts Macau GGR to remain at only 60 to 70 percent of 2019 levels during 2022, and don’t expect a full recovery until 2023 at the earliest.  The travel bans will affect mass more than premium mass in the near term, whilst the VIP market will face more challenges, particularly regulatory and economic.  “Capital control and stricter regulations on overseas gambling could continue to weigh on credit availability for VIP players, while weakness in the property market and China’s common prosperity initiatives could lower player demand,” said the analysts.  https://agbrief.com/news/macau/25/11/2021/travel-restrictions-remains-the-biggest-near-term-threat-for-macau-ops/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=4214b5d1c8-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-4214b5d1c8-69255637&ct=t()&goal=0_51950b5d21-4214b5d1c8-69255637


nov21
Zhuhai
Zhuhai has raised the validity of the negative nucleic acid test (NAT) result for arrivals from Macao to seven days.The new regulation is likely to be warmly welcomed by the thousands of commuters who shuttle across the border each day. Previously, after the Zhuhai authorities lifted the 14-day mandatory quarantine for arrivals from Macao on 19 October, travellers entering Zhuhai from Macao were required to present a NAT certificate confirming a negative Covid-19 result valid for 48 hours. https://macaonews.org/social-affairs/nat-validity-raised-to-seven-days-for-travellers-to-zhuhai-and-72-hours-for-hong-kong-arrivals/
nov21
HK

Hongkongers love to gamble. A 2016 government report on participation in gambling activities found that 61.5 per cent of those surveyed had gambled in the past year – a “significant” decrease from the 77.8 per cent in 2001, sure, but still a sizeable proportion of the population. Macau wasn’t mentioned in that report, which focused on the Mark Six, “social gambling” such as mahjong and betting on horse races. However, a 2002 version of the survey noted that “many Hong Kong people visit Macau casinos and casino ships to bet”. (And with Macau closed, no wonder those cruises to nowhere have proved so popular.) Citing a JP Morgan statement, the Inside Asian Gaming website reported on November 9 that “travel easing between Hong Kong and the mainland is likely to be applicable to Macau (which is already connected to the mainland without quarantine), and, hence, is incrementally positive to Macau’s demand”, adding that gross gaming revenue “from/via Hong Kong accounted for 15% to 20% of pre-Covid mass demand as per our rough estimate”. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/3156261/hong-kong-border-reopening-mainland-china-could-make?utm_source=cm&utm_medium=txn&utm_campaign=enlz-NOT-Follow&utm_content=20211117&d=109efd5f-1e89-45c7-a29a-4b8b363dfce8

Por aqui todos sabemos que, para a economia de Macau, é fundamental a abertura a Hong Kong. E tal não parece ser ainda uma prioridade para Ho Iat Seng que coloca nas mãos de Pequim essa medida. O problema é que a economia real de Macau (leia-se, além do Jogo) tem muitas dificuldades em sobreviver sem o turismo da ex-colónia britânica. A razão é simples de perceber, dir-se-ia, numa linguagem que agrada a este Governo, uma razão “científica”. O nível de vida dos turistas do interior que nos visitam é inferior ao de Macau e os preços locais muito superiores aos praticados no interior. Por outro lado, a maior parte dos turistas do interior trazem já quase tudo pago e marcado. Logo, não são eles quem vai gastar dinheiro suficiente para manter vivos os pequenos negócios desta cidade. Por outro lado, o nível de vida de Hong Kong é superior ao de Macau. As coisas aqui são mais baratas e por isso é fácil ao residente de Hong Kong aqui gastar dinheiro. Que o digam os donos dos restaurantes e das pequenas lojas, entre outros. Por este motivo, parece-nos muito difícil recuperar a nossa economia enquanto os cidadãos de Hong Kong não puderem vir à RAEM sem passar por uma quarentena. Dantes, quando havia muito poucos turistas da China, Macau era sustentado basicamente por gente de Hong Kong e chegava. A economia explica porquê. E cientificamente, não é? CMJ  https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/11/17/o-mesmo-nao-chega/


nov21

Os turistas de Cantão serão fundamentais para a recuperação económica de Macau. Em declarações à TDM-Rádio Macau após participar no programa Fórum da Ou Mun Tin Toi, Samuel Tong assinalou as vantagens de Hengqin para a recuperação económica de Macau e destacou a necessidade de reestruturação da indústria de turismo no território. “Em 2022, os factores mais importantes [para a recuperação económica] são por um lado, manter o fluxo de turistas da província de Cantão e, por outro lado, integrar Hengqin em Macau. Sabemos que a nossa principal indústria é o turismo e por isso precisamos de um fluxo fluído de pessoas. Acho que isso será crucial para assegurar o nosso crescimento económico ou a nossa sustentabilidade ao longo de 2022″, começou por dizer Samuel Tong. https://www.plataformamedia.com/2021/11/18/fluxo-de-turistas-de-cantao-sera-crucial-para-recuperacao-economica-em-2022/


nov21

Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has indicated that the entry ban on non-resident foreigners is unlikely to be lifted in the near future. Speaking following his Policy Address to the Legislative Assembly, Ho said that whether Macao would open its borders to non-resident foreigners was a “trade-off”. He said that if Macao suffered new local Covid-19 cases following the lifting of the ban, the mainland would impose mandatory quarantine on arrivals from Macao. https://macaonews.org/politics/entry-restrictions-likely-to-remain-in-place-for-the-time-being/

nov21

O Conselho para o Desenvolvimento Turístico realizou na sexta feira a segunda reunião plenária de 2021, onde foi estabelecida a prioridade na recuperação e desenvolvimento da indústria turística no próximo ano, guiada por quatro pontos prioritários. Os quatro pontos prioritários para o próximo ano, segundo a Direcção dos Serviços de Turismo (DST), são: o alargamento das fontes de visitantes, a economia de turismo comunitário, o aprofundamento do turismo e a cooperação regional. Segundo o comunicado da DST, o aumento das fontes de visitantes a chegarem a Macau servirá “para apoiar a recuperação dos sectores de serviços de turismo”. Para isso, as autoridades querem promover Macau como cidade segura e apropriada para visitar através de múltiplos canais e criar novos conteúdos para atrair visitantes. https://pontofinal-macau.com/2021/11/15/governo-quer-aumentar-fontes-de-visitantes-para-recuperar-sector-do-turismo/


nov21

A pandemia proporciona à indústria do turismo local uma oportunidade para se “reestruturar e actualizar”, trazendo “valor agregado”. Essa é a grande conclusão da primeira revisão e estudo do Plano Geral do Desenvolvimento da Indústria do Turismo de Macau, anunciado pela Direcção dos Serviços de Turismo (DST) na sexta-feira. Para a DST, a pandemia de Covid-19 torna os serviços de turismo com maior valor agregado, focados em segmentos-alvo de alto valor, como jovens casais, trabalhadores de colarinho branco e famílias de classe média e alta. https://pontofinal-macau.com/2021/11/15/relatorio-dos-servicos-de-turismo-ve-na-pandemia-de-covid-19-uma-oportunidade/


nov21
MGTO’s “four major work goals in 2022”, which are expanding the spectrum of visitor sources to revive the tourism and service industries, stimulating the local economy, deepening cross-sector integration of “tourism +” (MICE and sports, among other fields), and fostering quality tourism development and deepening regional cooperation were also presented. https://macaonews.org/tourism/mgto-reveals-four-major-work-goals-for-2022-at-cdt-plenary-meeting/


nov21

It might be 2025 before Macau annual visitor volume is back to at least 91 percent of the pre-pandemic level recorded in 2019, says the Macao Government Tourism Office. The forecast was in a review report, issued on Friday, of progress on goals under the tourism bureau’s ‘Macao Tourism Industry Master Plan’, that had been published in 2017. The latest review document of the city’s tourism master plan noted there would be at least an 11.7-percent increase in the number of available hotel rooms by 2025 relative to 2020; i.e., 46,800, compared to 41,884 last year. The review said there could be as many as 53,800 available hotel rooms by 2025: which would be a 28.5 percent rise on 2020. https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-visits-at-91pct-of-pre-crisis-only-by-2025-govt/


Nov21

Health authorities have announced today (Thursday) that decided to create a new ‘special isolation hotel’where all arrivals coming from high-risk foreign countries will have to complete the required 21-day quarantine, under a closed-loop system that will employ robots for some tasks. The first hotel selected under the new system will be Treasure Hotel in front of the Macau International Airport, with tourism authorities believing the property will be ready “before December”. https://www.macaubusiness.com/all-foreign-country-arrivals-to-have-to-complete-quarantine-on-special-isolation-hotel/

nov21

Recent discussions between mainland China and Hong Kong over a timeline for reopening borders represents a major step forward for Macau’s gaming operators, industry experts say. A number of media outlets reported late last week that authorities are looking to implement a trial starting in December that would allow Hong Kong travellers to enter mainland China without having to quarantine. The trial would be limited to Guangdong Province initially, with Shenzhen as the sole entry point, a daily visitor quota in place and travellers subject to a health code system. Each person would have to present a green health code to be allowed entry. “Travellers from Hong Kong could go to other cities in Guangdong province after arriving in Shenzhen, if they have valid health codes and meet other requirements, which are being finalised,” the South China Morning Post quoted one source as saying. In an interview with Hong Kong’s Economic Daily, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam also suggested the scheme could be extended to Macau with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to represent the first batch of ports to open, connecting the three jurisdictions for the first time since early 2020. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/11/09/talk-of-reopening-borders-between-china-and-hong-kong-seen-as-positive-for-macau-gaming/ 

nov21
(em Hngqin está tudo bem!!!)

In contrast to the cloistered mega-resorts across the river in Macau, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom’s visitation is back to pre-pandemic levels. With the first half of 2020 wiped out, it managed to eke out nearly 5 million visitors for the year—almost half its total 2019 visitation. This made it Asia’s second (behind Shanghai Disneyland) most-visited theme park outside of Japan in 2020. Chimelong’s total resort area on Hengqin is around one-third built out. The company is aiming for a total annual visitation of 50 million after completing all phases.  Hengqin buzzing with tourists and building out attractions.. https://agbrief.com/news/macau/08/11/2021/hengqin-buzzing-with-tourists-and-building-out-attractions/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=01fe2c9ffd-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-01fe2c9ffd-69255637&ct=t()&goal=0_51950b5d21-01fe2c9ffd-69255637


nov21
O Chefe do Executivo, Ho Iat Seng espera que a taxa de vacinação contra a covid-19 atinja os 80 por cento “o mais cedo possível”, de forma a criar condições de negociação com outras regiões e “revitalizar o sector do turismo”. Durante um encontro com Pan Jiawei, o presidente da Conferência Consultiva Política do Povo Chinês da cidade de Hangzhou para trocar impressões sobre cooperação cultural e turística, o Chefe do Executivo salientou esperar que Macau, enquanto destino “saudável e seguro”, possa “atrair mais turistas do Interior da China”. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/11/05/vacinas-recuperacao-do-turismo-so-a-partir-dos-80-diz-ho-iat-seng/


nov21
As novas directrizes de Guangdong para o sector do turismo não terão impacto em Macau, considera o presidente da Associação da Indústria Turística, que, porém, está preocupado com os novos casos de COVID-19 no Interior da China
https://jtm.com.mo/local/surtos-continente-podem-afectar-viagens-macau/


out21

As passagens fronteiriças entre os três territórios das regiões administrativas especiais e do Interior da China continuam a ter graus diversos de restrições e, portanto, é fundamental a uniformização de medidas para lidar com a covid-19. Esta foi a ideia deixada por Leong Iek Hou, do Centro de Coordenação e de Contingência do novo tipo de coronavírus, na conferência de imprensa de ontem.

“Sabemos que as autoridades de Hong Kong têm contacto com as autoridades do Interior da China sobre a passagem de fronteiras e relaxamento de medidas. Temos mantido conversações com Hong Kong e o Interior da China. Temos de ter medidas uniformes nos três territórios para conseguirmos controlar a pandemia. Só assim poderemos avançar para o próximo passo de abertura [de fronteiras].”

Segundo o canal RTHK, Carrie Lam, Chefe do Executivo de Hong Kong, disse que serão eliminadas as poucas excepções que ainda existem para entrar no território, tal como a isenção de quarentena para empresários cuja actividade profissional tenha particular relevância para o desenvolvimento económico da região. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/10/29/covid-19-defendida-uniformizacao-de-regras-nas-fronteiras/

out21

The Macau government has introduced a two-month ban applicable to people that have tested positive for Covid-19 and who, after recovering from the disease, wish to take a plane to the city. The measure came into effect on Monday (October 25). “With effect from 00.00 of October 25 (local boarding time), individuals who have had Covid-19 may only board a civil aircraft travelling to Macau at least two months after the disease onset or [after they] tested positive for Covid-19 for the first time, and by presenting a certificate of recovery from Covid-19,” the city’s Health Bureau said on Saturday. https://www.ggrasia.com/60-day-ban-for-recovered-covid-cases-eyeing-to-fly-to-macau/

22ou21

Beijing authorities will remove the 14-day quarantine requirement for arriving from Macau from midnight of October 24. The country’s capital had imposed the measure on October 9 following the discovery of 12 new confirmed Covid-19 cases since the end of September. Still, starting from October 24, people entering Beijing from Macau must, before boarding, present a negative nucleic acid test certificate carried out within the last 48 hours. https://www.macaubusiness.com/beijing-ends-quarantine-for-macau-arrivals/


out21
A reabertura das fronteiras com Zhuhai ainda não está a incentivar muito o regresso dos turistas, cuja confiança foi abalada pela experiência do recente fecho e pelo ressurgimento de casos de COVID-19 em várias províncias do Noroeste da China. A ocupação hoteleira em Macau já voltou a descer para menos de 50%. Embora se note um pequeno aumento do fluxo de pessoas nas zonas turísticas, os pequenos comerciantes dizem beneficiar pouco desse sinal positivo e receiam a falência, por não conseguirem esperar muito tempo até que o Governo lance os oito apoios recentemente anunciados. Representantes dos ramos do turismo e do comércio ligado aos visitantes apelam a uma uniformização das normas de prevenção epidémica entre Macau e Guangdong
https://jtm.com.mo/local/falta-de-confianca-ainda-afasta-turistas/ 

20/10
Com a reabertura da fronteira com Zhuhai, milhares de pessoas formaram enormes filas junto às Portas do Cerco. A polícia assegurou a ordem levando as pessoas em grupos para esperarem na zona de partidas. Por outro lado, terminaram as quarentenas dos residentes do San Mei On e foram levantadas as zonas amarelas e vermelhas, como é o caso do hotel Grand Emperor. https://jtm.com.mo/local/milhares-acorreram-as-portas-cerco/



20/10

“Os Serviços de Saúde exigem que (…) todos os indivíduos que pretendam sair da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau por avião ou barco civil, devem exibir o certificado com resultado negativo de teste de ácido nucleico realizado nas últimas 48 horas a partir do dia de amostragem”, indicou o Centro de Coordenação de Contingência do Novo Tipo de Coronavírus. O mesmo sucede também nas fronteiras terrestres com Zhuhai, onde se exigia até aqui o cumprimento de uma quarentena de 14 dias. As autoridades de Macau sublinharam que “os infratores podem ser sujeitos à medida de isolamento obrigatório, além de assumirem, se existirem, eventuais responsabilidades criminais”. https://visao.sapo.pt/atualidade/mundo/2021-10-19-covid-19-macau-exige-teste-negativo-para-sair-do-territorio/


19/10/21

Authorities in Zhuhai and Macao have agreed that starting from 12 pm 19 October, travellers crossing the border from Macao must hold a certificate of negative nucleic acid test (NAT) results within 48 hours. Anyone who has had close contact with confirmed cases of Covid-19 may only enter Zhuhai seven days after they complete quarantine. Residents of the Red Code Zones and Yellow Code Zones can only enter Zhuhai seven days after the zone reopens. Persons who have performed ‘high-risk’ functions can only enter Zhuhai 14 days after they have ceased to engage in such work. https://macaonews.org/covid-19/negative-nat-results-within-48-hours-required-at-zhuhai-macao-entry-points-starting-noon-tomorrow/ A cidade vizinha de Zhuhai afrouxou as medidas restritivas impostas há semanas a Macau devido aos diversos casos de Covid-19 que assolaram o território desde 25 de Setembro. A grande novidade é que residentes vacinados podem receber uma validade mais longa do teste Covid-19 para entrarem na zona económica especial da República Popular da China. O teste de ácido nucleico negativo terá de ter apenas a validade de 48h. “Para a passagem da fronteira é apenas necessário o certificado negativo de teste de ácido nucleico das últimas 48 horas e não é preciso uma quarentena de 14 dias. Desta vez não foi mencionada a administração de uma dose de vacina, isto porque a situação pandémica está diferente”, revelou o médico Tai Wai Hou. https://pontofinal-macau.com/2021/10/19/zhuhai-volta-a-abrir-portas-sem-quarentena-nem-vacinas/


out21
Rob Law, académico especializado em “Turismo Inteligente”, concorda com as medidas de prevenção adotadas, referindo que “é bom saber que o Governo da RAEM está a adotar políticas rígidas para controlar a propagação do vírus”. Embora refira que “a principal dificuldade da indústria do turismo tem sido a enorme redução do fluxo de turistas”, explica ao PLATAFORMA a importância de criar a imagem de que Macau é uma “cidade segura”, quer para os residentes, quer para os turistas. “É mais importante reconquistar a confiança dos residentes locais e dos turistas de que Macau é uma cidade segura para viver e visitar. Quando tudo voltar ao normal, a receita do turismo não será uma grande preocupação”, conclui. Andy Wu é mais reticente: “A solução para revitalizar o turismo seria a transformação do setor. Mas é difícil fazê-lo se os negócios não têm clientes. Mesmo que mudes, ninguém está aqui para consumir, certo? Podes escolher retirar-te da indústria, mas há negócios locais com muitos anos de História e que não estão dispostos a desistir”, diz. Não vendo resultados positivos numa adaptação do turismo em Macau, o líder associativo vê no controlo pandémico algumas falhas que, se revistas, poderão auxiliar a indústria. Como tal, apela à transparência, referindo que “é melhor as pessoas entenderem como funcionam os mecanismos de segurança sempre que se detetam casos de Covid-19”. Para dar um exemplo, utiliza os métodos de prevenção utilizados pela cidade sempre que há tufões, apesar de reconhecer que estes últimos podem ser previstos:  “Um caso de Covid-19 seria equivalente ao sinal de tufão número 1, dois casos equivalentes ao sinal número 3, e três casos seriam equivalentes ao sinal número 10. Aí é que as lojas fechavam. Assim, as pessoas podiam preparar-se melhor, em vez de esperar sem sequer entender por quanto tempo o Governo planeia fechar as fronteiras”. Na sua opinião, sistemas como este funcionariam como “um aviso prévio”, ao contrário da política em vigor, indefinida e incerta, que desincentiva os turistas.   https://www.plataformamedia.com/2021/10/08/macau-tem-de-ser-uma-cidade-segura/


out21

The Doumen district of neighbouring Zhuhai city, in Guangdong province, has classified Macau as medium-to-high risk area for Covid-19, according to a Wednesday announcement. Authorities in that district have advised people who have travelled from Macau since September 19 to report to authorities as soon as possible and conduct a test for the illness. Macau health official, Leong Iek Hou, speaking on Wednesday in a government press briefing on Macau’s Covid-19 situation, said the city’s government “respected” the decision from the authorities in Doumen. https://www.ggrasia.com/zhuhai-district-labels-macau-medium-to-high-risk-for-covid/

1ou21

The sudden reversal of the decision to lift quarantine restrictions for entry in Zhuhai via Macau led to a large agglomeration in the Gongbei Border protesting the decision and wanting to pass through, with police authorities forced to intervene and disperse the crowd. Previously the measure implemented on September 26 was scheduled to be removed after midnight of September 30, however, at 11:00pm it was announced that after discussions Zhuhai authorities decided to extend the measure until further announcement. https://www.macaubusiness.com/reversal-of-zhuhai-quarantine-policy-lift-leads-to-confusion-at-gongbei-border/ Face às consequências para a vida da população, Ho Iat Seng apresentou desculpas. “Estamos a pedir novas orientações para saber o que fazer quando houver novos casos. Peço desculpa à população, mas fizemos o máximo”, destacou. “Estivemos, eu e todos os secretários, na reunião com as autoridades de Zhuhai. A reunião durou quase até às duas da manhã. Fizemos o nosso melhor, mas eles insistiram [nas quarentenas de 14 dias]”, acrescentou. Ho Iat Seng confessou ainda sentir-se “desiludido” e lamentou o impacto para uma parte da população: “Num dia de festa, é claro que estamos à espera de que possa haver uma passagem fronteiriça. Mesmo no ano passado não tivemos essas restrições, mas agora, muitas pessoas querem ir para a China ou querem viajar, ou mesmo regressar ao domicílio. Não é só desilusão minha, mas é de toda a população”, afirmou Ho Iat Seng. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/10/05/cantao-faz-cair-promessa-de-ho-iat-seng/

set21

Authorities in Macau’s neighbouring city of Zhuhai, Guangdong province, announced on Tuesday an extension – until the end of Thursday (September 30) – of a requirement for all arrivals from Macau to undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine. The quarantine measure excludes people working either in the logistics industry, funerals sector or in medical services. https://www.ggrasia.com/zhuhai-extends-quarantine-rule-for-macau-arrivals-until-thurs/ Zhuhai authorities have decided to scrap the previous deadline to lift the current 14-day quarantine requirement for any arrivals coming from the Macau side and will maintain the policy indefinitely. Previously the measure implemented on September 26 was scheduled to be removed after midnight of September 30. “After a long period of consultation, and considering the prevention and control of the epidemic the Guangdong side decided to maintain the current epidemic prevention and control measures after midnight on September 30,” local security authorities announced. https://www.macaubusiness.com/zhuhai-to-keep-quarantine-requirement-for-macau-arrivals-indefinitely/


set21

A chefe do Executivo de Hong Kong anunciou hoje que, a partir de 15 de setembro, os residentes de Macau e da China continental podem entrar no território sem necessitarem de fazer uma quarentena obrigatória. As pessoas que não tenham estado em zonas de médio ou alto risco na China ou em Macau podem entrar na cidade, num limite máximo de dois mil viajantes por dia, e a apresentação de um teste à covid-19 negativo, disse Carrie Lam, em conferência de imprensa. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/09/07/hong-kong-suspende-quarentena-obrigatoria-para-residentes-de-macau-e-da-china/ 
A partir de 15 de Setembro, cidadãos estrangeiros que tenham permanecido 21 dias em Hong Kong podem requerer uma autorização para entrar em Macau, mediante o cumprimento de quarentena de 14 dias. Reciprocidade do plano de Hong Kong que isenta residentes de quarentena, não está, para já, a ser equacionado no regresso a Macau https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/09/10/hong-kong-estrangeiros-autorizados-a-entrar-em-macau/


set21
O plano de excursões locais só será reactivado após a autorização dos Serviços de Saúde. Segundo Helena de Senna Fernandes o regresso do programa incluirá actividades diárias. A responsável estima que Macau receberá entre 20 a 30 mil visitantes diários durante a Semana Douradade
https://hojemacau.com.mo/2021/09/06/turismo-excursoes-locais-dependem-do-aval-dos-servicos-de-saude/

Ag21

Hong Kong residents who have visited Macao – regardless of whether they are fully vaccinated –  in the past 14 days will not be eligible to go back to the city via the Return2hk Scheme, and must undergo a 14-day home quarantine upon arrival in Hong Kong. Macao entered a state of “immediate prevention” from 3:30 pm on Tuesday after the gaming hub confirmed one imported Covid-19 case and three imported-related cases earlier that day. https://macaonews.org/covid-19/hong-kong-tightens-rules-for-returnees-from-macao/


Ag21

2 August 2021: Travellers from mainland China on flights to Macau face a tighter RT-PCR Covid-19 test timeline that cuts the maximum validity from seven days to just 48 hours before the flight departure Macau’s Health authorities announced the new shorter validity for PCR tests last week, which took effect for flights departing China on Saturday 31 July. https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2021/08/macau-tightens-pcr-test-rule/


jul21

Macao has asked health experts in Beijing to come and advise about opening a travel bubble with Hong Kong – though no date has been set for their visit. “We [the Macao government] have invited an expert team from the National Health Commission (NHC) to visit Macao to examine our Covid-19 prevention work, but the date for their visit is yet to be decided,” Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U said.

https://macaonews.org/covid-19/macao-appeals-to-beijing-for-advice-on-hong-kong-travel-bubble/ 


jul21
The Macau SAR Government has removed mandatory hotel quarantine requirements for all arrivals from Guangdong Province in a major step forward for Macau’s gaming and tourism operators. According to information from Macau’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre, mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone who has been in Guangzhou city’s Dashi subdistrict in Panyu has been lifted, leaving only Ruili in Yunnan province subject to quarantine upon arrival. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/07/08/macau-lifts-remaining-quarantine-requirements-for-guangdong-province-arrivals/

jun21
Residents complain of disrupting impact of new cross-border policies on their daily life.
https://www.macaubusiness.com/residents-complain-of-disrupting-impact-of-new-cross-border-policies-on-their-daily-life/


mai21
A futura tendência do sector será sempre mais “inteligente” e “online”, afirmou ainda, recordando que, antes da pandemia, o mecanismo de turismo “inteligente” já era usado para controlar multidões em diferentes zonas turísticas.
https://jtm.com.mo/local/turismo-preocupa-angela-leong/ 

mai21
A taxa de ocupação média hoteleira em Macau foi de 58,5% em abril, um aumento de 45,9 pontos percentuais em relação ao mesmo mês de 2020, anunciou hoje a Direção dos Serviços de Estatística e Censos (DSEC).
No mês passado, os 119 hotéis e pensões do território, num total de 37 mil quartos, hospedaram 694 mil pessoas, ou mais 550,3%, em comparação com o período homólogo do ano passado, indicou a DSEC, em comunicado. https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/mundo/ocupacao-media-hoteleira-em-macau-foi-de-585-em-abril_n1323312 


mai21
Para o director da Associação de Federação da Indústria e Comercial de Turismo, Ben Leng, a isenção da taxa do imposto de turismo de 5% aos hotéis trará benefícios, mas será apenas uma pequena ajuda que não conduzirá a uma subida evidente na taxa de ocupação hoteleira. Segundo o presidente da Associação dos Hoteleiros, o sector tenciona usar esta isenção como uma oferta para os hóspedes. Por outro lado, Ben Leng apelou ao Governo que aproveite a actual “época fria” para revitalizar e preparar instalações complementares de transporte suficientes para os postos fronteiriços de Hengqin e de Qingmao https://jtm.com.mo/local/isencao-imposto-de-turismo-representa-pequena-ajuda/

mai21

China's Macao Special Administrative Region welcomed a total of 167,000 visitors during the May Day holiday (May 1 to 5), with 45,000 visitors arriving on May 1 – the highest daily record since the COVID-19 outbreak began, the Macao Government Tourism Office said on Friday. According to the local tourism office, about 156,000 tourists were from the Chinese mainland during the five-day public holiday, accounting for 93.4 percent of the total figure. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-05-08/Macao-records-highest-daily-arrivals-during-May-Day-holiday-105GYqVv6s8/index.html



may21

Starting from midnight of May 5 foreign non-residents who are already in Macau will be able to leave for Mainland China and return to the SAR without having to complete a quarantine, health authorities announced today (Tuesday). Among those covered by the measure are relatives of Macau residents who were granted an exemption or special authorisation to be in the SAR, for example for a family reunion, or hold an entry permit for work purposes

abr21
o deputado Ho Ion Sang assinalou ser necessário implementar medidas para acelerar a recuperação económica local e sugeriu o levantamento das restrições fronteiriças de Macau mediante apresentação de um passaporte de vacinação. No entender do vice-presidente da União Geral das Associações dos Moradores de Macau, o Governo devia encetar conversações com regiões de baixo risco epidémico para atrair mais turistas através de bolhas de viagem e adquirir novos tipos de vacinas contra a Covid-19. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2021/04/22/ho-ion-sang-sugere-implementacao-de-passaporte-de-vacinacao-para-impulsionar-turismo-de-macau/


abr21

The Macau government is discussing with mainland China’s central authorities the possibility to trial a plan for a “mutual recognition” system of Covid-19 vaccination between Macau and its neighbouring Guangdong province, said on Tuesday Macau’s Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng (pictured). He was speaking during a question-and-answer session at the city’s Legislative Assembly.The proposed arrangement – if eventually nodded by China’s central government – could help “reduce” the cost associated with the required Covid-19 test prior to travelling to Macau, Mr Ho stated. Currently, only mainland China has a largely quarantine-free travel bubble with Macau. But mainland visitors to Macau must have a certificate for freedom from Covid-19 infection – issued within seven days of intended arrival – in order to travel here quarantine-free.

https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-seeks-mutual-vaccine-recognition-with-guangdong-ce/ 


mar21
The Chief Executive of Macau SAR, Ho Iat Seng, said Tuesday that governments in Macau and mainland China are continuing discussions around simplifying their current border policies, including a possible exemption on providing a negative virus test for those who have received their COVID-19 vaccinations. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/03/24/chief-executive-says-macau-in-deep-discussions-with-mainland-china-over-further-easing-of-border-restrictions/

mar21
Health authorities announced today (Friday) that the previous 21-day quarantine requirement for individuals who within 14 days prior to entry into Macau had been in Hong Kong will be reduced to 14 days of medical observation and seven days of health self-management. The measure signals a possible first step in the reinstatement of normal crossings between the two SARs, after Macau authorities increased quarantine requirements for Hong Kong inbound visits in December 2020. This change in measures is also applicable to people who have already entered Macau and who are under medical observation or self-management because they were in Hong Kong.
https://www.macaubusiness.com/quarantine-for-hong-kong-arrivals-reduced-to-14-days/ 

mar21

The Macau government has revealed it will now allow foreigners to enter the Special Administrative Region for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, subject to fulfilment of certain requirements. According to Executive Order No. 43/2021, which came into effective as of midnight at the start of Tuesday, foreigners will be allowed into Macau via mainland China only and provided they hold a mainland China visa issued by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/03/16/macau-opens-the-door-for-foreigners-in-latest-easing-of-border-restrictions/ 

mar21

Macau’s NPC and CPPCC members have universally pushed for the resumption of online applications for the Individual Visit Scheme, also known as e-visas, during meetings with Chinese officials during China’s annual “two sessions”. The National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) finished on 11 and 10 March respectively, with Macau’s NPC deputies and CPPCC members having raised concerns over current travel restrictions between Macau and the mainland. All 12 of Macau’s NPC deputies jointly proposed the resumption of e-visas as soon as possible, pointing out that the recovery of its tourism industries has been slow due to the suspension of IVS e-visa and tour groups to Macau. It is therefore necessary, they said, to resume the online application process for e-visas and tour groups as soon as possible, and to provide more convenient ways to reduce time and procedures during the application process https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/03/12/macaus-npc-and-ccpcc-members-urge-china-to-resume-ivs-e-visa-processing/ Senior Macau officials have been busy lobbying the Chinese government for a further easing of travel restrictions to enable more visitation to Macau during two key political gatherings in Beijing. The officials were in Beijing for the annual session of China’s rubber-stamp parliament the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). LINK


mar21
However, without a major change to NAT testing, IVS or group visa issuance changes and the opening of Hong Kong, GGR and visitation will remain depressed. We expect a more robust GGR uplift to begin this summer. Bernstein RESEARCH CALL * MON 08 MAR 2021




fev21

The Macau government has eased travel restrictions for the last two remaining Mainland China regions – Hebei and Heilongjiang Provinces, removing their need for a 14-day quarantine. This means that all individuals entering from Mainland China will no longer need to undergo medical observation or self-quarantine. LINK~Galaxy Entertainment jumped as much as 12 percent in Tuesday trading, leading a strong rally amongst all six Macau casino operators, after news of easing travel restrictions with Mainland China. LINK


fev21

The Macau SAR government is discussing the resumption of e-visa for the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) with the mainland government, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, said Wednesday. Visitor arrivals have fallen substantially during the Chinese New Year holiday, impacted by China’s “stay in place” policy, with figures supplied by the Public Security Police Force showing a 68.2% decline in arrivals to just 77,383 over the first six days of Golden Week from 10 to 16 February. It is also 33.1% lower than the previous week from 3 to 9 February. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2021/02/18/mgto-director-says-macau-fighting-for-resumption-of-ivs-e-visas/


eve21
A RAEM deverá receber este ano entre seis a 10 milhões de turistas. A previsão foi ontem avançada pela directora dos Serviços de Turismo, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, durante a Conferência Anual de Imprensa do organismo que dirige, que admitiu que as perdas se cifrem entre 74% a 84% dos 39,4 milhões de visitantes em 2019. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2021/02/11/governo-estima-que-macau-possa-receber-ate-10-milhoes-de-turistas-em-2021/

dez20
A taxa de ocupação média hoteleira em Macau foi de 43,9% em novembro, menos 48 pontos percentuais em relação ao mesmo mês de 2019, anunciou hoje a Direção dos Serviços de Estatística e Censos (DSEC). Em novembro, os 120 hotéis e pensões do território hospedaram 473 mil pessoas, menos 59,3% em comparação com o período homólogo do ano passado, indicou a DSEC em comunicado. https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/economia/ocupacao-hoteleira-em-macau-fixa-se-em-439-em-novembro_n1285712 

dez20

Macau could receive “14 million” tourist arrivals from mainland China and Hong Kong in 2021, estimates the Macau government. That was the figure the local authorities used in their already-released forecast of 2021 casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) reaching MOP130 billion (US$16.28 billion) for the same fiscal year. The estimated 2021 visitor tally emerged on Wednesday as part of Macau’s 2021 fiscal budget plan presented to the city’s Legislative Assembly. http://www.ggrasia.com/macau-hopes-for-14mln-mainland-hk-visits-in-2021-govt/ 


dez20
Durante o Fórum Global de Economia Turística, organizado por Macau, o ministro da Cultura e do Turismo da República Popular da China, Hu Heping, afirmou que o Governo de Macau “respondeu à pandemia em tempo oportuno” e que por isso “conteve eficazmente a sua propagação”. Macau foi dos primeiros territórios a ser atingido pela crise económica devido à pandemia, tendo registado o primeiro de 46 casos em 22 de janeiro. A partir daí, adotou várias medidas sanitárias para controlar a propagação do vírus, como o encerramento dos casinos por 15 dias, um plano de distribuição de máscaras e um forte controlo fronteiriço. As medidas sanitárias mostraram-se eficazes, e desde 26 de junho que não é detetado qualquer caso. Por essa razão, Hu Heping acredita que “a economia de Macau vai recuperar rapidamente com o apoio do Governo Central” e “demonstrar melhor que nunca o seu papel de centro mundial de turismo assim como o seu papel de cooperação entre a China e os países de língua portuguesa”. https://visao.sapo.pt/atualidade/mundo/2020-12-09-covid-19-controlo-da-pandemia-em-macau-vai-trazer-rapida-recuperacao-economica-governo-chines/

nov20
Por outro lado, Elsie Au Ieong frisou que se fizeram várias tentativas para levantar as restrições às excursões. A secretária apontou que quando esteve em Pequim em Setembro trocou impressões com as autoridades de turismo adiantando haver uma ideia sobre viagens entre Hengqin e Macau mas sem “autorização estatal para as excursões”. Além disso, a secretária indicou que o Chefe do Executivo “escreveu várias vezes ao ministério respectivo para tentar levantar estas restrições”. “Temos vindo a esclarecer a situação de Macau como um destino seguro para turismo”, apontou. https://hojemacau.com.mo/2020/12/03/covid-19-vacina-chega-ainda-este-ano-para-pessoal-da-linha-da-frente/ Preocupados com a “tigela de arroz” dos profissionais do sector do turismo, alguns deputados apelaram ao alívio de restrições sobre as excursões do Continente. A Secretária Elsie Ao Ieong assegurou que o Governo da RAEM se tem esforçado para pedir a Pequim o levantamento das restrições, mas sem sucesso. Por outro lado, garantiu que os Serviços de Turismo não vão “cruzar os braços” no que toca ao emprego no sector https://jtm.com.mo/local/tentativas-mal-sucedidas-para-retoma-de-excursoes/ 


nov20

A nova onda de coronavírus em Hong Kong mina as esperanças de um retorno à normalidade. A bolha de viagens com Cingapura foi adiada pela segunda vez na terça-feira, enquanto alguns bancos internacionais ordenaram que funcionários voltassem a trabalhar em casa. Carrie Lam, chefe do Executivo de Hong Kong, disse que até festas em barcos estão fora dos limites. https://www.moneytimes.com.br/hong-kong-adia-bolha-de-viagens-e-bancos-retomam-trabalho-remoto/

nov20

Morgan Stanley banking group says it remains “medium-term bullish” on the Macau casino sector, due to factors including pent-up demand within China for a variety of leisure services and spending, coupled with the inability currently of mainlanders to travel much further afield than Macau, one of the country’s special administrative regions. “We see a continued clampdown on online gambling and overseas travel to bode well for Macau,” wrote the brokerage in a Monday memo. Referring to reports of capital controls out of the mainland potentially having a negative effect on high-roller play in Macau, analysts Praveen Choudhary, Gareth Leung and Thomas Allen noted: “For VIP, we see no spike in [mainland] officials being disciplined and liquidity in the system (total social financing, M1 money supply) remains abundant.” http://www.ggrasia.com/china-demand-limited-travel-choice-good-for-macau-ms/


nov20
e continuar a ser reforçada a divulgação de Macau como cidade segura e a aposta nas promoções aquando da reserva de quartos de hotéis, além da realização de eventos, o fluxo diário de turistas poderá situar-se entre 30.000 e 40.000 no Natal, estima o presidente da Associação de Indústria Turística, Andy Wu https://jtm.com.mo/local/andy-wu-preve-40-000-visitantes-por-dia-natal/


nov20
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he believes it will take several years to return to normal after Covid-19 and travel is likely to take another two years to fully recover. https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/PM-Lee-Hsien-Loong-during-the-APEC-CEO-Dialouges-2020

nov20

SINGAPORE — Singapore and Hong Kong have postponed their air travel bubble agreement for two weeks. The announcement came hours after Singapore said the agreement, which was set to take effect on Sunday, would go ahead as planned despite a rise in new coronavirus cases in Hong Kong. “This is to safeguard public health in both cities as well as travellers’ own health,” Singapore’s aviation authority said in a media release announcing the delay. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/21/singapore-hong-kong-travel-bubble-continues-as-hong-kong-covid-cases-rise.html



nov20
A deputada criticou as restrições fronteiriças impostas pelo Governo a propósito da prevenção da pandemia. Na reunião de ontem, Agnes Lam contou que tem recebido vários pedidos de apoio de residentes cujos familiares estão fora de Macau e não conseguem entrar, ao passo que as fronteiras se abriram para os pilotos estrangeiros que participam no Grande Prémio, “o que é ridículo”, diz a deputada. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/11/20/agnes-lam-aponta-dualidade-de-criterios-nas-restricoes-fronteiricas/

nov20

Macau will only be able to waive its current 14-day quarantine-on-arrival for people travelling from Hong Kong if the latter city sees no local Covid-19 infection cases for a consecutive 14 days, says Macau’s Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng (pictured). He was speaking during a Tuesday question-and-answer session held at the Legislative Assembly, about the city’s 2021 public-policy priorities set out in the Policy Address delivered by the Chief Executive on Monday. Currently, Hong Kong residents that wish to travel out of Hong Kong to Macau, are still subject to Macau’s 14-day quarantine on arrival that has to be completed at a venue designated by the Macau government. They must also have a certificate for a negative test result for Covid-19 infection.In order to waive the quarantine requirement for arrivals from Hong Kong, the city has to be qualified as a “low-risk” region as defined by China’s Covid-19 prevention standards, Mr Ho told the assembly on Tuesday. He added such arrivals would still need to submit a ‘negative’ test certificate. “We really want to welcome back [arrivals from] Hong Kong, which is just one bridge away,” said Mr Ho, referring to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the only direct land-transport link, and the only current direct transport link amid the suspension of the Hong Kong to Macau ferries.But Macau’s leader added: “Their [Hong Kong's] situation poses risk to us. If we resume travel ties with them now, how are we to deal with mainland China?” He was referring to the risk that imports of infection from Hong Kong could put at risk the current, near-universal, quarantine-free travel bubble – in both directions – Macau enjoys with mainland China. Mr Ho further noted: “We hope that Hong Kong can… reach zero local Covid-19 infection cases [for 14 consecutive days], which would get them qualified by the country [China] as a low-risk place. Then we will have conditions to welcome back Hong Kong travellers, requiring them only to present a Covid-19 test result.” http://www.ggrasia.com/hk-to-macau-travel-bubble-needs-14-days-of-no-cases-ho/


nov20
SJM Holdings Co-Chairman and Executive Director Angela Leong says Macau’s operators must change their way of thinking, including reducing distinctions between VIP and mass gaming as well as a greater focus on non-gaming attractions, if they are to expedite recovery from COVID-19. “We’re now seeing a certain increase in gambling revenue but under the current circumstances we can’t expect too much other than to strive for stability,” Leong said.
“I believe that all concessionaires are now thinking about switching their current development methods to strengthen the development of non-gaming elements. Some [gaming] measures also need to be changed.” Expanding on such measures, Leong suggested downplaying the distinction between VIP and mass market players. “Every guest is our VIP,” she said, “I believe in the future, no matter how much a guest spends, he or she should be treated as our VIP from the moment they enter our integrated resorts. “In terms of non-gaming elements, we need to think about how to match the current development of the country, especially the development of the Greater Bay Area. “We need to think about how to increase our tourists, and what they expect to enjoy when they arrive. In addition to the gaming industry, is there any other better environment to increase the number of tourists coming to Macau and spending more? That’s what our current strategy focuses on.” Leong said this strategy should also be employed as a means of responding to recent reports of a crackdown on cross-border gambling by mainland China. “We must change our way of thinking,” she continued. “Instead of worrying about the visitors not coming, we’d better think how to bring them back. We all need to discuss how to develop in the future. That’s why we’re having today’s seminar, with scholars from mainland China discussing issues with us. We need to think outside the box.” https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/11/04/sjms-angela-leong-says-rapid-recovery-from-virus-pandemic-needs-new-approach-to-macau-gaming-and-non-gaming-development/

nov20faltou aos governos da região a capacidade de se coordenarem e unirem contra um adversário comum “[O plano da Grande Baía] é um projecto emergente. [A pandemia] não mostrou que havia um plano de coordenação muito bem definido, em termos de autorizações de residência ou até de gestão da emergência: como lidar com a emergência? São locais diferentes, com regulamentos diferentes: como arranjar um denomidar comum? Sim, falhou. Havia tantos ponto de controlo em cada lado da fronteira… A rivalidade é um grande desafio, incluindo a rivalidade crescente entre Hong Kong e Shenzhen – qual vai ser a cidade mais importante? Para o projecto da Grande Baía ser um verdadeiro exemplo de integração, este tipo de ‘small politics’ tem de ser posto de lado. É preciso olhar para a imagem global”, defende o professor da Universidade Cidade de Macau, em declarações à TDM – Rádio Macau. https://plataformamedia.com/2020/11/06/macau-pandemia-expos-desafios-do-plano-da-grande-baia-defende-academico/

nov20

It “may take some time” still for mainland China authorities to resume same-day processing for Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) exit visas permitting mainland residents to visit Macau, says brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd. Vitaly Umansky, Tianjiao Yu and Kelsey Zhu gave the commentary in a memo after Macau’s October gross gaming revenue (GGR) figures were released on Sunday. The Sanford Bernstein team said it expected Macau’s overall visitor volume would “increase over the next months with a pickup in gaming visitors, as visa processing improves over time”. “The key jump in visitors will come when visa processing becomes same-day and via e-kiosk again, which may take some time,” the institution added. Mainland residents account in normal trading conditions for a majority of tourists to Macau. A number of investment analysts has suggested the return of electronic processing for IVS visas would be a catalyst for visitor numbers to Macau, and in likelihood for the city’s casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) http://www.ggrasia.com/no-news-on-e-applications-for-macau-ivs-bernstein/

nov20

Macau deputy to the Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC), Lao Ngai Leong, has urged Guangdong Province to consider the resumption of online application for Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) visas to Macau. China reinstated the IVS scheme for Zhuhai residents to visit Macau from 12 August, for Guangdong Province residents from 26 August and for all of mainland China from 23 September, however visitation has been slow to recover and was down 85.7% year-on-year during the October Golden WeekWhile visitor arrivals have since risen to more than 20,000 per day, it has been widely suggested that the exhaustive requirements around obtaining visas, as well as obtaining negative virus test certificates and health codes, had limited Chinese travelers’ willingness to visit MacauLao said on Sunday that he had discussed the idea of resuming online IVS applications with Guangdong authorities on several occasions. “I hoped that the Guangdong Government would conclude the results and experiences of IVS resumption in the past few weeks, and consider easing part of IVS application procedures,” he said. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/11/02/macau-npc-deputy-pushes-guangdong-to-resume-online-ivs-application/ 


out20
A diretora dos Serviços de Turismo de Macau, Helena Senna Fernandes afirmou que, apesar do aumento no número diário de entradas em Macau seja um bom sinal (20.000), tem de haver mais trabalho de promoção e publicidade para os turistas chineses que desconhecem o facto de não terem de fazer quarentena ao visitar Macau. https://plataformamedia.com/2020/10/29/turistas-chineses-desconhecem-isencao-de-quarentena-para-entrar-em-macau/

ou20

China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced that a suspension on both inbound and outbound group tours organized by travel agencies or online travel operators will remain in place. The Chinese authority has also determined not to resume “flights + hotels” travel packages due to ongoing concerns over the global COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/10/22/china-extends-suspension-of-inbound-and-outbound-group-tours/

ou20

Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng says there has been no talk of any travel bubbles between Macau and foreign countries despite moves by neighboring Hong Kong to establish new travel pathways with the likes of Singapore. Hong Kong and Singapore reached a preliminary agreement on a travel bubble last week which would exempt visitors travelling between the two jurisdictions from undergoing 14-day quarantine. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/10/19/international-travel-bubbles-not-on-macaus-agenda-ho-iat-seng/

ou20
Através de uma interpelação escrita, Mak Soi Kun defendeu que o Governo deve ponderar a introdução de um plano piloto para isentar a apresentação do teste de ácido nucleico para os residentes que cruzem a fronteira entre Macau e Zhuhai.
Segundo o deputado, a apresentação obrigatória do teste à covid-19 deve ser dispensada, pelo facto de os dois territórios não apresentarem casos há vários meses pois e ser um encargo financeiro avultado para os residentes de Macau que moram em Zhuhai. https://plataformamedia.com/2020/10/06/pedida-isencao-de-testes-na-fronteira-entre-macau-e-zhuhai/


ou20

Macau’s Golden Week visitor numbers remained subdued for a fourth consecutive day with the Public Security Police Force reporting just 18,747 arrivals on Sunday, down 87.8% year-on-year. The decline mirrors numbers recorded over the first three days of the October Golden Week holiday period with 58,345 arrivals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/10/05/fourth-day-of-2020-golden-week-sees-macau-visitor-numbers-fall-87-8-as-downward-trend-continues/ O sector hoteleiro não sentiu a presença de mais visitantes em Macau. Ao PONTO FINAL, Rutger Verschuren, presidente da Associação de Hotéis de Macau, disse que, para o sector, a Semana Dourada foi uma “semana de lata”. Ainda sem uma taxa de ocupação dos hotéis de Macau durante o período, Rutger Verschuren indicou que há hotéis que registaram uma taxa de ocupação de menos de 10%, mas houve até quem tenha tido uma “boa taxa de ocupação”. Mas, no geral, “ninguém ficou impressionado com os resultados até agora”, disse o responsável. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/10/07/semana-dourada-foi-semana-de-lata-para-o-sector-hoteleiro/ A operadora de jogo Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM) admitiu esta quarta-feira que o fluxo de turistas chineses durante a primeira semana de outubro, época em que muito se viaja no país, foi pior do que esperavam. https://observador.pt/2020/10/08/fluxo-de-turistas-chineses-em-macau-foi-pior-do-que-o-esperado-em-semana-de-ferias/ A primeira `vaga` de turistas trouxe pouco mais de 156.300 pessoas a Macau durante os feriados chineses da chamada `semana dourada`, muito longe dos 985 mil visitantes registados pelas autoridades em 2019. https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/economia/primeira-vaga-de-turistas-em-macau-fica-se-nos-156300-longe-dos-985-mil-em-2019_n1265408

out20

Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak said on Wednesday that for the time being the conditions were still not ripe for the mutual recognition of the Macao Health Code and the health codes of more provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in the mainland, as their respective governments were “not keen” on the matter, aside from technical issues. The Macao Health Code and the Guangdong Health Code have been mutually recognised since May so that those travelling between Macao and Guangdong can switch their nucleic acid test (NAT) certificate between the two health code systems. As the Macao Health Code and the health codes of all the other provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in the mainland are not currently mutually recognised, those travelling from Macao to any of those areas, and vice versa, have to present a paper NAT certificate when passing through the immigration. https://macaunews.mo/no-timetable-yet-for-mutual-recognition-of-macao-health-code-by-more-mainland-areas/

ou20
O Chefe do Executivo, Ho Iat Seng, afirmou ontem que só depois de a China considerar Hong Kong como um destino seguro é que Macau vai abrir portas à região vizinha, aliviando as restrições à circulação impostas na sequência da pandemia de COVID-19. Assim que o País considerar que Hong Kong é de baixo risco, seguiremos então as estratégias”, afirmou Ho Iat Seng.

Aos jornalistas, à margem da recepção oficial do 1 de Outubro, o Chefe do Executivo afastou assim estipular por quanto tempo é que Hong Kong precisa de estar sem novos casos do novo tipo de coronavírus para a abertura ser automática. Actualmente, a Ponte Hong Kong-Zhuhai figura como a única forma de ligação a Hong Kong, já que, as carreiras marítimas entre as duas regiões encontram-se suspensas desde Fevereiro. Macau exige a quem chega de Hong Kong não só um teste negativo à COVID-19, como o cumprimento de 14 dias de quarentena, com a antiga colónia britânica a impor medidas semelhantes a quem chega de Macau. Os barcos de Hong Kong eram, de resto, um meio de transporte que “trazia muitos turistas”, como reconheceu o Chefe do Executivo. O facto de a China ter retomado integralmente a emissão de vistos de turismo (individuais e de grupo) para Macau, a 23 de Setembro, criou expectativas para a ‘Semana Dourada’, mas Ho Iat Seng prefere não ter ilusões relativamente ao número de turistas: “É muito difícil fazer previsões, mas é certo que não vai ser [um cenário] muito ideal”. https://plataformamedia.com/2020/10/02/macau-so-abre-a-hong-kong-apos-luz-verde-de-pequim/



set20

FANNY VONG Como é que esta crise profunda no turismo vai afectar Macau a longo prazo? Vamos ter de repensar como é que olhamos para questões como as alterações climáticas e para a pegada ambiental que deixamos, devido aos nossos hábitos, sendo as viagens um deles, que contribui para gerar dióxido de carbono e que vai contribuir para gerar desperdício. Teremos de repensar toda a indústria do turismo. Temos de ter um ambiente que possa ser resiliente a crises como esta. Para Macau, a indústria hoteleira é muito grande e os consumos são grandes. A higiene pessoal vai tornar-se mais importante, vai haver uma maior exigência quanto ao turismo internacional e do interior da China para melhorarem a higiene nos hotéis e casinos. A qualidade do ar ‘indoor’ irá ser mais monitorizada. Haverá mais formas de interacção sem contacto, não é preciso tanto contacto nas interacções. E a forma como isto vai afectar o sector MICE é algo que temos de ver, se as pessoas decidirem que afinal não precisam de se encontrarem, então o que acontece à indústria do MICE? Há muito debate sobre o mundo pós-pandémico.

O Governo quer fazer com que Macau se transforme num centro mundial de turismo e lazer. Quando é que isto poderá acontecer? https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/09/25/teremos-de-repensar-toda-a-industria-do-turismo/ 

set20

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam says the time has come to resume some cross-border travel with mainland China and Macau, revealing initial talks have already resumed to allow Hong Kong residents living in mainland China to return home. The prospect of adding Hong Kong to the current two-way travel bubble between the mainland and Macau comes as the larger of the SAR’s continues to see a decline in new cases of COVID-19, including two days with zero local transmissions in the past week. The three jurisdictions had previously been in talks over a multi-way travel bubble before a third wave of the virus in July saw Hong Kong reintroduce tighter restrictions https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/09/30/discussions-back-underway-to-add-hong-kong-to-macau-china-travel-bubble/

set20

Em relação ao facto de Macau não receber turistas de Hong Kong na Semana Dourada, Albano Martins afirmou que a ausência de um corredor especial com a cidade vizinha terá um grande impacto nas receitas, apesar da reabertura das fronteiras para todas as províncias chinesas. “O facto de não haver Hong Kong vai ter impacto. Os jogadores de Hong Kong são grandes apostadores e são grandes dinamizadores nesta economia. Não há dúvida nenhuma, aliás, no passado, Macau estava totalmente nas mãos de Hong Kong. Ainda está nas mãos de Hong Kong porque são os nossos grandes fornecedores. Macau não compra directamente ao Japão nem a lado nenhum. Compramos na maior parte dos casos via Hong Kong. Hong Kong vai fazer muita falta e é preciso que Hong Kong cresça e que Macau cresça também. Em relação ao fluxo turístico, se Macau é um centro que está livre de coronavírus, porque que é que as pessoas não podem vir através de um transporte aéreo através de Hong Kong directamente para Macau?”, questionou https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/09/23/economia-local-pode-dar-um-salto-com-regresso-dos-vistos-para-todas-provincias-chinesas-dizem-analistas/

set20

Na perspectiva do professor de Gestão Internacional de Resorts Integrados da Universidade de Macau, Glenn McCartney, a estratégia das autoridades para alcançar a recuperação económica tem sido gradual e correcta. “Creio que estamos a assistir a um planeamento muito cauteloso de recuperação económica por parte das autoridades. Não vejo que haja problema em reabrir as fronteiras com toda a China porque foram implementadas várias medidas de prevenção e controlo da epidemia, nomeadamente o código de saúde ou a obrigatoriedade de mostrar um resultado negativo do teste de ácido nucleico. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/09/23/economia-local-pode-dar-um-salto-com-regresso-dos-vistos-para-todas-provincias-chinesas-dizem-analistas/


27/9

China’s Trip.com, one of the country’s leading providers of online booking and information services for travellers, says it is working with the Macau government and Chinese online technology group Tencent Holdings Ltd, to distribute “travel coupons” worth a total of CNY150 million (US$22.0 million) to mainland Chinese tourists, for them to use when booking hotels in Macau. A Thursday press release from Trip.com said that travellers would be able via its software application to use coupons “and enjoy up to 50 percent, or CNY500, off when they make their reservation”. http://www.ggrasia.com/trip-com-to-help-give-out-us22mln-in-macau-travel-coupons/

20/9
A obrigação de fazer quarentena para participar no Grande Prémio está a levar algumas equipas a reconsiderarem a presença na edição deste ano, como é o caso da liderada pelo britânico Michael Rutter, vencedor do GP Motos em 2019. Ouvido pela TDM-Rádio Macau, Michael Rutter diz que a equipa já fez a inscrição no evento desportivo, mas que, a manterem-se as regras anunciadas de os pilotos e respectivas equipas técnicas terem de cumprir 14 dias de observação médica nos hotéis designados, o mais certo é não correr em Macau em Novembro. https://www.plataformamedia.com/2020/09/26/michael-rutter-com-quarentena-de-14-dias-nao-vamos-ao-grande-premio-de-macau/



set20 (o que a China está  afazer)

The central government is again allowing Chinese mainland residents to travel to Macao and has invited foreign workers stuck outside China to return, in two major signs that the country is starting to reopen its borderSince Wednesday, mainland residents have been able to apply for travel permits to Macao, with the exception of those who live in or have just traveled to areas associated with mid- to high-level Covid-19 infection risks within 14 days, according to a statement issued by the National Immigration Administration. An influx of mainland tourists could help the Asian gambling hub reverse its fortunes as it has been battered by fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.caixinglobal.com/2020-09-24/mainlanders-allowed-to-visit-macao-again-in-sign-china-is-easing-covid-19-border-controls-101609309.html 



set20
Apenas 47% dos residentes do Interior da China inquiridos pela “BofA Securities” dizem aceitar fazer testes de ácido nucleico para visitar Macau. Com base nestes resultados, a consultora diminuiu a sua estimativa das receitas de jogo em Setembro. Por outro lado, apenas 10% a 20% dos quartos de empreendimentos do território estão reservados para o período da “Semana Dourada” do Dia Nacional da China, segundo o presidente da Associação dos Hoteleiros de Macau https://jtm.com.mo/local/maioria-continente-rejeita-fazer-testes-para-visitas-macau/

set20

All provinces in mainland China will resume the approval of visas to Macau under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) from today (23 September), however tourists arriving as part of package tours are required to enter and exit via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) or the new Hengqin Port, the government says. Other visitors are permitted to use all open borders, including Gongbei Port. Ferry services between Macau and Shenzhen also resumed last week. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/09/23/nationwide-ivs-to-macau-resumes-but-package-tours-must-enter-via-hzmb-bridge-or-hengqin-port/


set20

Macau’s ‘bubble’ for quarantine-free travel to the city by Chinese tourists is being widened from Wednesday (September 23), with the restart by mainland authorities country-wide of applications for the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) exit visa programme. A condition of quarantine-free travel for successful IVS applicants is that they must have a test certificate – issued within seven days of intended arrival in Macau – proving freedom from Covid-19 infection. Such a certificate must also be produced by any person wishing to enter any of Macau’s gaming venues. http://www.ggrasia.com/macaus-ivs-travel-bubble-with-mainland-now-national/

set20
Macau vai investir 2,2 milhões de euros no Festival de Luz, o primeiro grande evento desde o início da pandemia, “um primeiro passo” para promover a imagem de uma cidade segura, anunciaram esta quinta-feira as autoridades. https://observador.pt/2020/09/17/macau-investe-22-milhoes-de-euros-no-festival-de-luz-primeiro-grande-evento-desde-a-pandemia/ 

set20

Macau’s gaming revenues may be showing slower than expected recovery but there appears to be better news on the horizon with five-star hotels already at 80% capacity for the upcoming Golden Week Holiday and five of those already fully booked. According to a survey of Macau hotels conducted by investment bank Morgan Stanley, 10 of the SAR’s top five-star hotels are reporting an average occupancy rate of 80% for the National Day holiday period starting 1 October 2020, while five hotels are already booked out – Four Seasons, Morpheus, Ritz-Carlton, StarWorld and Studio City. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/09/15/five-hotels-fully-booked-for-golden-week-as-macau-hotel-occupancy-rates-show-meaningful-improvement/ 


set20
PANSY HO DIZ QUE É ALTURA DE “REPENSAR O FUTURO DO TURISMO”??? https://jtm.com.mo/local/pansy-ho-diz-e-altura-de-repensar-futuro-turismo/


set20

Macau’s top tourism official said on Friday that there was no guarantee of “apparent increase” to inbound-visitor numbers to the city, even after the resumption later this month, across mainland China, of the country’s Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), an exit visa system enabling tourism to Macau. In comments to local media on Friday, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO),  said the city was currently receiving about 15,000 inbound travellers a day. That figure – an increase from days in previous months – coincided with Guangdong province’s reinstatement on August 26 of applications for IVS exit visas. http://www.ggrasia.com/no-sure-tourism-surge-as-china-visas-return-macau-govt/


31/8

Macau tem desde hoje novas regras para a entrada nas fronteiras em função da proveniência, continuando os estrangeiros que não tenham residência na antiga colónia portuguesa banidos do território. Segundo informação publicada hoje no site oficial do Governo, os chineses residentes na China continental ficam dispensados de quarentena, devendo, no entanto, apresentar um certificado negativo do teste de ácido nucleico, realizado nos sete dias anteriores. https://www.voltaaomundo.pt/2020/08/31/macau-com-novas-regras-de-entrada-estrangeiros-continuam-excluidos/noticias/864034/


24/8

Resumption by the mainland Chinese authorities of exit visas for residents of Zhuhai in Guangdong province to visit Macau for tourism has had “no impact yet” on the fortunes of the Macau casino industry, says a brokerage. Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd gave the assessment on Monday, in its update on Macau’s August casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) up to Sunday inclusive. http://www.ggrasia.com/no-zhuhai-gain-for-macau-aug-ggr-trend-94pct-say-analysts/


13/8

Concerns over the potential to catch COVID-19, combined with a willingness to travel domestically and low penetration, have Macau better placed than other destinations, including Hong Kong, to attract mainland China visitors in the short-term. The findings formed part of a recent survey conducted by investment bank Morgan Stanley of 2,667 Chinese residents aged between 18 and 49 from Tier 1 to 3 mainland China cities. Among the notable results, 68% of those surveyed said they had traveled within China for leisure and stayed at least one night in a hotel in 2019 or 2020, however only 18% of people had been to Macau, suggesting considerable potential upside to visitation and GGR. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/08/13/macau-more-appealing-to-chinese-travelers-than-hong-kong-morgan-stanley/


11/8
A partir de amanhã, os residentes de Macau com passaporte chinês podem atravessar a fronteira e viajar para o interior da China sem fazer quarentena. O mecanismo de suspensão de quarentena foi anunciado ontem pela secretária para os Assuntos Sociais e Cultura juntamente com o regresso da emissão dos vistos individuais para turistas de Zhuhai. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/08/11/governo-anuncia-regresso-de-vistos-individuais-para-zhuhai-e-isencao-de-quarentena-na-china/ + https://macaunews.mo/zhuhai-residents-allowed-into-macao-under-ivs-scheme-again/


ago20

Macau spent MOP8.5 million (US$1 million) to create special transport corridors to Hong Kong to allow residents to return and people left stranded during the pandemic to leave, officials announced today (Monday). The head of the public relations division of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) PR Director said today at a press conference that Macau has no plans to move forward with another special channel, after one using buses and another via a ferry link, both direct to the international airport in the neighbouring SAR, were previously established. https://www.macaubusiness.com/special-transport-corridors-to-hk-airport-cost-local-authorities-mop8-5-mln/

ago20

O Governo Central vai retomar a aprovação de vistos de entrada em Macau para residentes de todas as províncias a partir de 12 de Agosto, escreve o portal Inside Asian Gaming. De acordo com a informação veiculada, a decisão de Pequim ainda não inclui vistos para fins turísticos, mas é um sinal positivo de que as interacções entre Macau e a China continental estão a regressar gradualmente ao normal. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/08/03/china-vai-alargar-vistos-de-entrada-em-macau-a-todas-provincias/

jul20
Apesar da pandemia estar relativamente contida nas cidades do Continente mais próximas da RAEM e do relaxamento das restrições fronteiriças poder ajudar a aliviar o impacto negativo do COVID-19, a recuperação da economia ainda está sujeita a incertezas consideráveis, alerta a Autoridade Monetária de Macau. Ao mesmo tempo, considera que o alto nível de capitalização e os amortecedores de liquidez concedem ao sector bancário “capacidade para resistir a choques externos” https://jtm.com.mo/local/amcm-alerta-para-incerteza-consideravel-em-torno-da-revitalizacao-economica/

29/7
A recuperação do mercado turístico do interior da China é a única prioridade da Direcção dos Serviços de Turismo (DST) até ao final de 2020, assinalou Helena de Senna Fernandes durante uma palestra organizada pela Câmara do Comércio França-Macau. A directora da DST referiu também que a reabertura de Macau ao turismo internacional não deverá ocorrer antes da segunda metade do próximo ano e que não há qualquer tipo de negociações a decorrer para a criação de um corredor especial com Taiwan e a Coreia do Sul. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/07/30/senna-fernandes-aponta-a-segunda-metade-de-2021-para-o-regresso-do-turismo-internacional-a-macau/ O secretário para a Economia e Finanças disse ontem que ainda não há data para que as autoridades do interior da China retomem a emissão dos vistos individuais para Macau, mesmo que fossem limitados à região de Guangdong. Citado pela Macau News Agency (MNA), Lei Wai Nong indicou que as autoridades de Macau têm estado em contacto com as de Guangdong, mas que será preciso mais tempo para que as fronteiras reabram. “A comunicação entre Macau e Guangdong tem sido próxima. Vamos manter os esforços graduais para reabrir as fronteiras, mas precisamos de tempo”, pediu Lei Wai Nong, à margem de um evento relacionado com turismo organizado pela Federação das Associações de Operários de Macau (FAOM). O secretário lembrou ainda que o levantamento de algumas das restrições na fronteira com Guangdong, a 15 de Julho, já foram importantes para o retomar da normalidade entre Macau e a província vizinha. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/07/30/vistos-individuais-para-macau-ainda-sem-data-para-voltarem-a-ser-emitidos/

24/7

The Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, has warned that rushing to reinstate China’s Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) could inadvertently result in borders being locked down again.The timeline for reinstating the IVS scheme, which accounted for around 48% of all Chinese visitors to Macau in 2019, has come further into focus since the easing of quarantine restrictions between Macau and Guangdong Province earlier this month, with Las Vegas Sands President and COO Rob Goldstein noting during the company’s 2Q20 earnings call that operators can expect little rebound until IVS returnshttps://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/07/23/mgto-director-warns-of-danger-in-reinstating-ivs-too-soon/


24/7
he Hong Kong government has extended to September 7 its deadline for the end of a 14-day quarantine rule for arrivals from Macau, mainland China and Taiwan. The previous deadline for expiry of such a quarantine rule was August 7. http://www.ggrasia.com/hk-extends-to-sept-7-quarantine-rule-for-macau-mainland/

16/7/
Com o alívio das restrições fronteiriças com a província de Guangdong, Macau registou ontem um aumento significativo no número de turistas oriundos de Zhuhai com a entrada de 2129 turistas até às 21h00. A implementação de novas medidas para sair do território levou também a uma subida do número de marcações prévias para os testes de ácido nucleico com o registo de oito mil pedidos em apenas dez minutos. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/07/16/autoridades-registaram-crescimento-exponencial-de-turistas-e-de-marcacoes-para-testes-a-covid-19/

14/7

The Macau government is not expecting a big rebound in the number of visitor arrivals following the relaxation of quarantine arrangements between Macau and Guangdong province, said Ines Chan Lou (pictured, second left), head of the city’s Government Information Bureau, during a Tuesday press conference. http://www.ggrasia.com/macau-govt-not-expecting-spike-in-visitors-from-guangdong/ Apesar do alívio das restrições de viagem entre as duas regiões, analistas contactados pelo PONTO FINAL consideraram que a capacidade de realização de testes de ácido nucleico de Macau e Guangdong será fundamental para os casinos. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/07/15/revitalizacao-do-sector-do-jogo-depende-da-capacidade-de-testes-de-guangdong-e-macau-avisam-analistas/

14/7
The Macau government said in a Tuesday statement that the city’s casino staff would have to be tested for Covid-19, as part of new precautionary measures for anyone entering gaming venues in Macau. The new step regarding test certification would be applied in full to all casino patrons from Wednesday (July 15), said the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, a body also known as DICJ. http://www.ggrasia.com/covid-19-safety-testing-for-macau-casino-staff-govt/

13/7
Health authorities announced that in order to safeguard public health, starting from 6:00 pm of today (Monday), all individuals wanting to come to Macau from Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) must present a negative Covid-19 nucleic acid test negative result certificate issued in the last seven days. Individuals are unable to present the test will be refused entry to Macau. The measures in force for individuals coming from Hong Kong mandating a 14-day medical observation in designated places will remain unchanged, the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre noted. https://www.macaubusiness.com/anyone-coming-from-hong-kong-via-hzmb-to-have-to-present-negative-covid-19-test/
10(»/7
The Macau SAR could still reach some 22 million visitors this year despite the pandemic, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes indicated in an interview with newspaper Ponto Final. https://www.macaubusiness.com/city-can-still-reach-22-mln-visitors-this-year-tourism-office-director/

11/7
Cerca de 47 mil pessoas já participaram, até esta data, nos 15 roteiros turísticos locais, lançados pelo Governo de Macau para impulsionar a economia, afetada pela covid-19, afirmou hoje a diretora dos Serviços de Turismo. https://www.sapo.pt/noticias/economia/cerca-de-47-mil-residentes-ja-participaram-em_5f097589876fbb549b4f8fa5


10/7
De acordo com as projecções da Organização Mundial de Turismo, vamos precisar de pelos menos três anos para voltar à situação antes da pandemia, pois não vai ser de um dia para o outro que as companhias aéreas vão começar a voar como antigamente. Para Macau, acho que para já, logo no início da reabertura, não podemos olhar muito para além dos nossos vizinhos. Se pudéssemos abrir Guangdong ainda este ano já seria muito bom para Macau porque, dentro do mercado da China, Guangdong é responsável por mais ou menos 43% dos nossos turistas. MHSF https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/07/10/vamos-precisar-de-pelos-menos-tres-anos-para-voltar-a-situacao-antes-da-pandemia/

6/7

The Guangdong government began allowing eligible Macau residents to visit nine cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) from 6 July. Although the tourism and gaming industries in Macau have not yet directly benefited from this latest policy, it reflects the fact that Macau and Zhuhai are testing the ability and capacity of their clearance processes on cross-border visitation between Macau and Zhuhai, which may well be part of early preparations to start allowing some visitors into Macau.Currently, the busiest Gongbei Border needs to handle thousands of Macau residents holding Zhuhai residential cards and eligible Chinese non-resident workers. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/07/07/opinion-quarantine-exemption-for-macau-residents-could-be-a-test-for-reopening-borders-for-guangdong-visitors/


25/6
Desmond Lam, professor of integrated resorts and tourism management at the University of Macau, has called for the proposed regional travel bubble to be approved by the relevant authorities as soon as possible. According to Lam, Macau cannot rely on its residents’ spending to keep the local economy afloat, and the government’s large-scale cash relief scheme is only a temporary measure. “We cannot rely on just Macau residents. At the end of the day, we’re just 678,000 [people]. There is a limit on what we can do collectively. That’s why we need to have the travel bubble, we need to have a bigger market which could be mutually beneficial,” Lam told the Times on the sidelines of a breakfast talk organized by the France Macau Chamber of Commerce. https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau-tourism-professor-calls-for-travel-bubble-as-soon-as-possible.html

26/6

Macau’s Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng (pictured), said on the sidelines of a public event on Thursday that he was watching to see whether there would be any “good news” in July regarding easing of regional intercity travel restrictions brought about by Covid-19. He added there had been hopes of action during June, but a fresh cluster of infections in China’s capital Beijing had caused some changes of approach. http://www.ggrasia.com/macaus-leader-watching-for-good-news-in-july-on-travel/

17/6
Macau’s gaming and integrated resort operators should prepare for the borders to remain closed during this year’s summer holiday period, according to director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes. While the MGTO is working with the hospitality industry to offer more promotions for local residents in August, Senna Fernandes told media on Wednesday that border restrictions won’t be easily loosened during the summer and that visitors would therefore be unable to enter freely. “It is expected that border controls would remain limited in the short term,” she said. “Chinese or foreign visitors are unlikely to enter Macau, visitation will be limited to certain groups of visitors.” https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/06/18/mgto-director-says-operators-should-prepare-for-a-quiet-summer-holiday/ A directora dos Serviços de Turismo (DST) estima que o sector só regressará ao normal, isto é, registando os números do final do ano passado, em 2023.Num programa do “Ou Mun Tin Toi”, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes salientou que vários destinos turísticos no mundo não prevêem retomar o funcionamento normal do sector a curto prazo, apontando para uma retoma parcial. Assim, o regresso à normalidade deverá começar nos locais mais próximos do território. https://jtm.com.mo/local/recuperacao-turistica-apontada-para-2023/

25/5
A delegation of Macau’s deputies to the National People Congress (NPC) has urged the Chinese central government to coordinate the return of normal cross-border operations between Macau, Hong Kong and Guangdong Province. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/05/25/npc-deputies-urge-beijing-to-open-macaus-borders-with-guangdong-province-and-hong-kong/

20/5
Covid-19: Macau com plano a ‘três velocidades’ para recuperar milhões de turistas. https://www.impala.pt/noticias/atualidade/covid-19-macau-com-plano-a-tres-velocidades-para-recuperar-milhoes-de-turistas/

20/4 LAG

Governo quer vistos individuais a partir de mais cidades: Com o objectivo de recuperar o sector do turismo, Macau vai solicitar ao Governo Central o alargamento da emissão de vistos individuais a partir de mais cidades do Interior da China. O anúncio foi feito pelo Chefe do Executivo, na apresentação das Linhas de Acção Governativa. Antes da normalização da política de vistos individuais, o Governo pretende lançar “planos turísticos destinados à população de Macau”, permitindo que os residentes locais “tenham um conhecimento mais aprofundado do património cultural mundial da cidade” mas também de outras zonas, como a Ilha da Montanha. https://portugues.tdm.com.mo/c_radio/index.php?ra=nd&id=22190
20/4
Legislators have urged the Macau government to carry out negotiations and discussions with Guangdong Province in order to remove entry restrictions between the neighboring jurisdictions sooner rather than later.Before the Legislative Assembly started its agenda for plenary sessions last Thursday, legislators Ma Chi Seng and Lao Chi Ngai expressed their concerns for the massive plunge in tourists to Macau due to the impact of the COVID-19 https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/04/20/macau-legislators-call-on-government-to-remove-border-restrictions-with-guangdong-province/

16/4
A lack of alternative gambling options in mainland China has Macau well-placed to capture pent-up demand once border restrictions start to ease, pointing to a strong rebound in GGR and EBITDA levels in 2021, according to Morgan Stanley research. But returning to 2019 levels is unlikely, the research says, with the probability that some social distancing measures will remain in place set to cap Macau’s recovery potential. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/04/16/lack-of-alternatives-has-macau-well-placed-to-capture-pent-up-demand-in-2021/

11/4 (na China, aplica-se a Macau?)

Covid-19 afetou significativamente o dia-a-dia do povo chinês. E está, a afetar o do resto do mundo, sem exceção. Mas o que mudou nos consumidores chineses, bem como nas marcas, perante este vírus? A Reuter Communications fez uma análise que nos permite compreender o que podemos esperar do pós-pandemia. À medida que a China começa a traçar o seu caminho para a recuperação, as marcas começaram a capitalizar esta nova forma de estar, através de meios inovadores para se voltarem a aproximar dos consumidores. A realidade é que o consumo mudou e as marcas estão a rever as suas estratégias para se adaptarem a uma nova realidade, seja no lançamento de produtos ou mesmo em eventos. https://eco.sapo.pt/2020/04/12/na-china-ja-e-assim-ira-portugal-seguir-o-mesmo-caminho-depois-do-virus/ +These changes will create winners and losers. The winners will be those who study, learn, adapt and create offerings responding to post-covid consumer behaviors. The losers will be the dinosaurs who stood flat-footed, staring at the asteroid as it sailed through the heavens on a collision course with our planet, praying it will miraculously swerve away at the last minute. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/04/13/post-covid-introducing-our-new-post-covid-series/


9/4
Mainland Chinese consumers have only a “low” appetite for attempting to travel to Macau during the upcoming Labour Day holiday break centred on May 1. They appear to be postponing their travel plans and pushing them into the next 12 months or later, concluded a survey conducted by a research unit of banking group Morgan Stanley.http://www.ggrasia.com/mainland-chinese-mostly-shun-macau-for-may-1-hols-ms/

2/4
The Macau government will ask mainland China to resume issuing visas under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic is deemed to be under control, but there are no plans to shut down Macau’s casinos again in the meantime, according to Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong.https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2020/04/03/no-plans-to-shut-down-macau-casinos-again-as-government-eyes-return-of-ivs-visas/

1/4
A estratégia do Governo para desenvolver o sector do turismo após a epidemia da Covid-19 vai passar pelo mercado do interior da China, indicou ontem, na sessão plenária da Assembleia Legislativa (AL), Helena de Senna Fernandes, directora dos Serviços de Turismo (DST). “É o [mercado] que pode trazer mais resultados”, justificou. Também na sessão plenária de ontem, Paulo Martins Chan, da Direcção de Inspecção e Coordenação de Jogos (DICJ), disse que o objectivo primordial do organismo é “dar prioridade ao emprego dos trabalhadores” e à “estabilidade” dos mesmos. https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2020/04/01/dst-vai-reformular-planos-para-o-futuro-e-apostar-no-mercado-do-interior-da-china/

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