• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Weak comeback likely on Macau packages says tourism rep

Aug 17, 2020 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Weak comeback likely on Macau packages says tourism rep

The reinstatement of some forms of China exit visa for travel to Macau can help the city’s tourism industry in the upcoming October “Golden Week” holiday period, but demand for escorted package tours involving travellers from the mainland is likely to remain low, amid the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, says Andy Wu Keng Kuong, president of the Macau Travel Industry Council.

Mr Wu said the outlook was clouded by the likely lack of availability of two-city tours – featuring Macau and Hong Kong – favoured pre-crisis, by travellers from the mainland.

The mainland authorities have recently moved to ease travel movement to Macau, which has not reported a new case of Covid-19 for several months. But in Hong Kong there has been an uptick in Covid-19 infections, with reports of a “third wave” of disease, although as of Sunday the daily total of new infections had remained below 100, for 14 consecutive days.

Visitor numbers to Macau via package tours were “definitely going to be much smaller” and the comeback “weaker” than before the pandemic, with demand rising more slowly than the market for independent travel via means such as China’s Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) or business visas, said the Macau travel council’s Mr Wu in comments to GGRAsia.

“For [mainland Chinese] package tours, the number of travellers per group is definitely going to be much smaller because of virus prevention needs,” the industry representative said.

In addition, Chinese package tour clients “tend to prefer the traditional format of joint tours to Hong Kong and Macau,” Mr Wu stated.

But the Covid-19 infection rate in Hong Kong “now does look serious,” the industry spokesman added. There was still “uncertainty” on when Macau could resume travel ties with that neighbouring Special Administrative Region of China.

Currently, all people arriving in Macau that have been in Hong Kong in the preceding 14 days are required to present a nucleic acid test certificate – issued within 24 hours of arrival – proving they are free from Covid-19 infection. Such travellers would nonetheless also be required on arrival to undergo a 14-day quarantine programme in a Macau-government designated location under the terms of the city’s virus-prevention policy, making it hard for holidaymakers to use Hong Kong as a first stop on the way to Macau.

Package numbers in 2019

During 2019, Macau recorded a total of 8.33 million package tour arrivals, of which 6.44 million were from mainland China, according to Macau’s Statistics and Census Service. For that year, the city recorded in total, 27.9 million arrivals from mainland China, of which about 47 percent – or 13.07 million – came to the city using IVS visas.

The first week of October marks autumn Golden Week, a seasonal holiday encompassing China’s National Day, and usually a period of peak demand for Macau’s tourism and casino businesses. China’s State Council declared the 2020 holiday period as running for eight days, i.e., October 1 to 8. This year, the period also includes the lunar calendar-based Mid-Autumn Festival.

Macau travel agencies are currently preparing various travel packages – some in collaboration with the city’s casino resorts – to attract mainland Chinese travellers during that festive period, Mr Wu told GGRAsia.

“The design of these offerings will have a focus on giving consumers value-for-money deals, and encouraging them to have an extended stay in Macau,” he noted.

The Macao Government Tourism Office, a body also known as MGTO, said in a Thursday statement that the local government was launching - with Chinese electronic payment service Alipay – a promotion campaign running from this month and into October, to attract tourists from the neighbouring Chinese province of Guangdong to go shopping in Macau.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, the tourism bureau’s director, added the city was “ready and prepared” to welcome mainland Chinese visitors.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Surge in HK visitors to Macau continues in April
    Surge in HK visitors to Macau continues...

    May 18, 2023  

  • Macau 7.9mln visitor arrivals in year to May 10: MGTO
    Macau 7.9mln visitor arrivals in year...

    May 17, 2023  

More news
  • Gaming-linked crime in Macau up 24pct y-o-y in 1Q: govt
    Gaming-linked crime in Macau up 24pct...

    Jun 08, 2023  

  • SOFTSWISS chosen for Cobra Casino jackpot campaign
    SOFTSWISS chosen for Cobra Casino...

    Jun 08, 2023  


Latest News

Gaming-linked crime in Macau up 24pct y-o-y in 1Q: govt

Gaming-linked crime in Macau up 24pct y-o-y in 1Q: govt

Jun 08, 2023  

Macau recorded 158 “gaming-related” crimes in the first three months of 2023, up 24.4 percent on the 127 identified in the prior-year period, according to the latest statistics published on...
Read More
SOFTSWISS chosen for Cobra Casino jackpot campaign

SOFTSWISS chosen for Cobra Casino jackpot campaign

Jun 08, 2023  

G2E Asia 2023: Singapore

  • Konami taps market-tried slots to refresh Asia op offer
    Konami taps market-tried slots to refresh Asia op offer

    Jun 08, 2023  

    Gaming content and equipment maker Konami says it is...
  • L&W building game content across 3 pillars: Ken Jolly
    L&W building game content across 3 pillars: Ken Jolly

    Jun 07, 2023  

    Casino gaming content and hardware provider Light &...
  • ETGs rapid growth segment in Asia: Interblock Michael Hu
    ETGs rapid growth segment in Asia: Interblock Michael Hu

    Jun 06, 2023  

    Electronic table games (ETGs) supplier Interblock dd is...
  • GLI offering RNG test tools, cybersecurity demand growing
    GLI offering RNG test tools, cybersecurity demand growing

    Jun 05, 2023  

    Random number generator (RNG) testing tools are among the...
  • Alfastreet’s new Verso cabinet heading to Asian markets
    Alfastreet’s new Verso cabinet heading to Asian markets

    Jun 01, 2023  

    Alfastreet, a manufacturer of electronic gaming machines,...
  • Sega Sammy Creation growing land-based, eyes online
    Sega Sammy Creation growing land-based, eyes online

    Jun 01, 2023  

    Casino equipment maker Sega Sammy Creation Inc is tweaking...
  • iGaming growing in Asia, ops tackling challenges: Uplatform
    iGaming growing in Asia, ops tackling challenges: Uplatform

    Jun 01, 2023  

    The iGaming segment in Asia “has grown rapidly” since...
  • ‘See before you play’ slot marketing tool, say tech suppliers
    ‘See before you play’ slot marketing tool, say tech...

    May 31, 2023  

    Showing slot machine players – via animations on the...
  • Macau stocks tied to China outlook: Bloomberg analyst
    Macau stocks tied to China outlook: Bloomberg analyst

    May 31, 2023  

    Macau stocks in likelihood “have been punished too much...
  • Investors still eye possible fresh IR locations in Japan: scholar
    Investors still eye possible fresh IR locations in Japan:...

    May 31, 2023  

    There are foreign companies still interested in investing...
  • Thai casino law possible in 2024, IR in 2030: govt adviser
    Thai casino law possible in 2024, IR in 2030: govt adviser

    May 31, 2023  

    Thailand could pass the necessary enabling legislation for...
  • China still ‘critical’ to Asian markets: G2E Asia panel
    China still ‘critical’ to Asian markets: G2E Asia panel

    May 30, 2023  

    China will remain a key market for Asian gaming...
  • Much interest in state casinos sale, says Pagcor boss Tengco
    Much interest in state casinos sale, says Pagcor boss

    May 30, 2023  

    Alejandro Tengco (pictured in a file photo), chairman and...
  • Gaming industry in for a very exciting period: Bill Miller
    Gaming industry in for a very exciting period: Bill Miller

    May 30, 2023  

    There are “plenty of reasons” for the global gaming...
  • IGT flags route to high-performing games for Asia
    IGT flags route to high-performing games for Asia

    May 30, 2023  

    Gaming equipment provider International Game Technology Plc...
  • G2E Singapore trade show, conference begins today
    G2E Singapore trade show, conference begins today

    May 30, 2023  

    The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2023 Special Edition:...
  • Novomatic’s Black Edition II cabinets at G2E in Singapore
    Novomatic’s Black Edition II cabinets at G2E in Singapore

    May 29, 2023  

    Austria-based gaming equipment maker and operator Novomatic...
  • Uplatform to show latest iGaming products at G2E Singapore
    Uplatform to show latest iGaming products at G2E Singapore

    May 25, 2023  

    Sports betting and online casino operating platform...
  • L&W ambition to be No1 in Asia well on its way: SVP gaming
    L&W ambition to be No1 in Asia well on its way: SVP...

    May 24, 2023  

    The business performance in Asia of gaming content and...
  • G2E Singapore expecting 6k visitors, 100+ exhibitors
    G2E Singapore expecting 6k visitors, 100+ exhibitors

    May 18, 2023  

    The organisers of Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2023...
  • ‘Dragon Unleashed’ slot link by L&W at G2E in Singapore
    ‘Dragon Unleashed’ slot link by L&W at G2E in...

    May 17, 2023  

    Gaming content and equipment supplier Light & Wonder...
  • Sega Sammy Creation new multi-ETG at G2E in Singapore
    Sega Sammy Creation new multi-ETG at G2E in Singapore

    May 16, 2023  

    Casino equipment maker Sega Sammy Creation Inc is to...
  • Aristocrat at G2E Asia in Singapore previews Year of Dragon
    Aristocrat at G2E Asia in Singapore previews Year of Dragon

    May 09, 2023  

    Casino slot machine and digital gaming content provider...
  • IGT ‘Prosperity’ link in Asia show debut G2E in Singapore
    IGT ‘Prosperity’ link in Asia show debut G2E in...

    May 05, 2023  

    The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia event in Singapore is the...
  • Thai parliament adviser on casinos attending G2E Singapore
    Thai parliament adviser on casinos attending G2E Singapore

    May 04, 2023  

    An adviser to a Thailand parliamentary committee mulling...

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”I think the gaming sector has a huge potential in coming years. The situation around the pandemic drew a lot of attention from the casino operators to the ETG segment”

Michael Hu

President for the Asia-Pacific region at gaming supplier Interblock



Most Popular

  • Macau GGR in June hit by seasonal slowdown: JP MorganMacau GGR in June hit by seasonal slowdown: JP Morgan June 5, 2023
  • China Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBSChina Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBS June 7, 2023
  • Queen’s Wharf Brisbane opening delayed to April 2024Queen’s Wharf Brisbane opening delayed to April 2024 June 6, 2023

Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us