"How to attract foreign tourists?" (+ Charter flights) II
may26
Travel demand for Macau from overseas markets, including the Middle East and Asia, is rising, with accommodation searches from the Middle East more than tripling from a year earlier, said digital travel platform Agoda.
The company shared the figures this week as it said it would expand its partnership with the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) for the year. MGTO and Agoda have worked together since 2025, running hotel promotion campaigns in international markets across Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and the Middle East.
Agoda said interest in Macau has broadened across a wide range of source markets, with the strongest year-on-year growth in accommodation searches coming from the Middle East, up 247 percent. That was followed by India at 70 percent, Japan at 62 percent, Thailand at 56 percent, the Philippines at 39 percent, and Singapore at 25 percent.
https://macaubusiness.com/middle-east-drives-surge-in-travel-interest-in-macau-agoda-says/
ab26
The city’s six gaming operators will fund and take part in running two new Macau government backed promotion centres for Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, drawing on budgets earmarked for non-gaming investment under their concession commitments.
The plan was set out by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) in a recent written response to questions from legislator Joey Lao Chi Ngai on the city’s tourism strategy.
MGTO said the Southeast Asia Economic, Trade, Tourism and Cultural Promotion Centre of Macau will be established in Malaysia in the first half of this year. It added that the government is also preparing to launch a similar Northeast Asia centre, without disclosing its location, and is studying whether to open representative offices in other regions.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai pledged last year in his Policy Address for 2026 that Macau would set up two representative offices for Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia to expand the city’s reach in international visitor source markets.
“The integrated resort operators will use funds earmarked for non-gaming investment to cover the costs of these offices and take part in their operations,” MGTO said, referring to the city’s six gaming operators.
“[They will] leverage their global networks for targeted marketing to enhance Macau’s overall image and help attract international visitors,” it added.
Since the start of their new 10-year concessions in 2023, the six gaming operators have committed to invest MOP108.7 billion (US$13.47 billion) in non-gaming projects from 2023 to 2032. That requirement rose by 20 percent to more than MOP130.4 billion after the city’s gross gaming revenue exceeded a predetermined threshold of MOP180 billion in 2023.
Mulling joint incentives with mainland China
MGTO said relevant departments would continue to ensure gaming operators deliver on concession commitments, and that the government would work with them to intensify promotion via social media, international media platforms and influencer channels to showcase Macau’s tourism offering to overseas visitors.
Macau welcomed 755,756 international visitors in the first quarter of 2026, up 10.7 percent from a year earlier and representing 6.74 percent of total arrivals, according to official data. Officials have said international arrivals beyond Greater China could recover to about 3 million this year, compared with 3.07 million in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.
MGTO also said in the reply that it is studying joint incentive measures with mainland China to encourage international travellers to extend trips from the mainland to Macau. The government plans to deepen cooperation with airlines, targeting international source markets served by direct flights to Hong Kong, Macau and nearby mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area cities through discounted air fares, bundled travel offers and joint campaigns, it added.
The government has recently said complimentary ferry tickets for overseas business travellers attending conferences and exhibitions in Hong Kong are being considered, as part of efforts to lift international visitation. Macau has offered free transport from Hong Kong to Macau since 2024 for international travellers arriving via Hong Kong International Airport.
‘Prioritising quantity with quality’
Looking ahead, MGTO said Macau aims to sustain growth in arrivals while optimising the allocation of tourism resources, shifting from volume driven expansion to a model that “balances quantity with quality”.
The tourism office cited its visitor research showing 97.3 percent of respondents were satisfied with their trip last year. On intent to revisit, respondents gave Macau a score of 8.5 out of 10, indicating strong overall satisfaction and a relatively high likelihood of returning.
Total visitor arrivals to Macau rose 13.7 percent year-on-year to 11.21 million in the first three months of 2026, after a 14.7 percent increase to a record 40.07 million in 2025.
https://macaubusiness.com/casino-operators-to-finance-macaus-new-southeast-northeast-asia-promotion-offices/
jan26
Ng Wai Han, directora da DICJ, assegurou que estão estabelecidas “normas rigorosas” no que respeita à análise das receitas brutas geradas por jogadores estrangeiros. Segundo explicou, há uma “verificação diária” destas receitas
A Direcção de Inspecção e Coordenação de Jogos (DICJ) garante que tem estabelecido “normas rigorosas” às medidas de identificação dos clientes de países estrangeiros e às receitas brutas do jogo por eles geradas. “Concretamente, as concessionárias obrigam-se a estabelecer procedimentos operacionais padrão e mecanismos de auditoria interna e regular”, refere a directora, Ng Wai Han, em resposta a uma interpelação do deputado José Pereira Coutinho.
O objectivo, continua, é “assegurar que todas as transacções e actividades de jogo dos clientes provenientes de países estrangeiros sejam efectuadas por visitantes estrangeiros em conformidade com o definido, verificando com eficácia a actualização, exactidão e integridade dos registos no respeitante às receitas brutas do jogo”.
Mais ainda, Ng Wai Han afirmou que “os procedimentos operacionais padrão e o mecanismo de auditoria devem ser previamente aprovados pela DICJ”, além de que, “após a aprovação dos procedimentos operacionais padrão e o mecanismo de auditoria, a DICJ continuará a proceder à apreciação e verificação diárias das receitas brutas do jogo geradas por clientes de países estrangeiros”.
A líder do organismo refere ainda que, quando a concessionária apresentar o requerimento para a redução ou isenção das contribuições, a DICJ “irá ainda verificar os documentos comprovativos e informações apresentados pela concessionária, bem como procederá à auditoria, incluindo a verificação aleatória dos dados de identificação dos jogadores e dos registos de jogo, etc., a fim de verificar se as receitas brutas do jogo provêm de visitantes estrangeiros em conformidade com o definido”.
Recorde-se que, em 2024, as seis concessionárias de jogo foram isentas de pagar aproximadamente 150 milhões de dólares de Hong Kong, ao abrigo da Lei do jogo, que concede uma isenção de até 5% sobre o imposto do jogo nas receitas geradas por jogadores internacionais. Ainda segundo as informações avançadas pelo presidente da 2ª Comissão Permanente da Assembleia Legislativa, as operadoras aumentaram os investimentos não-jogo em 170 milhões de patacas.
O deputado José Pereira Coutinho tinha questionado o Governo sobre quantos pedidos de redução ou isenção de contribuições foram analisados e quantos foram aprovados desde 2023 e até ao momento, uma pergunta que ficou sem resposta.
Além disso, também perguntou sobre que tipo de provas documentais concretas são exigidas às concessionárias do jogo para demonstrar que foi através das suas acções promocionais ou de negócio que atraíram efectivamente os jogadores estrangeiros “e não factores genéricos e fortuitos como a reabertura das fronteiras”.
Na resposta, Ng Wai Han salienta que, na candidatura ao concurso público para a atribuição de concessões para a exploração de jogos de fortuna ou azar em casino, “as concessionárias apresentaram claramente os seus compromissos e planos quanto à expansão dos mercados de clientes de países estrangeiros, cujos conteúdos foram incorporados no contrato de concessão”. “E o Governo da RAEM tem continuado a fiscalizar o cumprimento das obrigações contratuais”, assegurou.
Noutro âmbito, e em resposta a uma outra interpelação igualmente de Pereira Coutinho, Ng Wai Han indicou que a DICJ “está a realizar os trabalhos de revisão, no sentido de analisar o cumprimento das responsabilidades sociais por parte das [operadoras de jogo], bem como a promoção da diversificação adequada da economia e do desenvolvimento sustentável, entre outros aspectos”.
https://jtm.com.mo/local/dicj-garante-rigor-na-analise-de-receitas-geradas-por-estrangeiros/
jan26
Macau’s foreigner-only gaming zones continue to make only a marginal contribution to overall casino revenue despite signs of early progress, an analyst and industry observer told AGB.
The segment generated about HK$3 billion ($385 million) in gross gaming revenue in 2024 and triggered HK$150 million ($19.2 million) in levy relief for operators.
Foreign player gaming accounted for roughly 0.17 percent of total casino revenue for the year, according to a government budget execution review.
The review was discussed last month at the Legislative Assembly of Macau, marking the first time authorities have publicly disclosed detailed data on gaming revenue generated by foreign players under the current incentive framework.
Under Macau’s revised gaming law, operators may receive up to a 5 percent reduction in special contributions linked to gaming revenue generated by international visitors, provided the activity takes place in designated gaming zones within casino properties. These zones were established as part of a broader strategy to encourage operators to develop facilities and services aimed at non-mainland Chinese customers.
Committee chairman and lawmaker Ip Sio Kai said the relief mechanism is intended to support efforts to diversify Macau’s visitor base and reduce reliance on a single source market. The policy forms part of the government’s wider push to reposition the city as an international tourism and leisure destination.
Limited impact
An analyst at an international investment bank, who preferred not to be identified, told Asia Gaming Brief that the financial impact remains limited.
“I think these are positive developments, but they are too small to matter, as foreigners contributed roughly 1 percent of total GGR in 2025,” the analyst said, adding that such levels are insufficient to materially influence operators’ earnings or investment decisions.
Speaking to AGB, Billy Song, president of the Macau Responsible Gaming Association, said the foreigner-only zones require more tailored approaches to become effective. He noted that such areas need to better reflect the cultural backgrounds and preferences of target markets.
“Because these are dedicated zones for foreign visitors, there should be more cultural elements linked to their source markets,” Song said. “For example, having staff who speak Thai or Japanese and providing services that match their preferences could make the experience more attractive.”
Song added that the current scale of foreign play is broadly in line with earlier expectations, given Macau’s tourism structure, in which visitors from mainland China continue to account for the majority of arrivals.
He also noted that many international tourists may still choose to gamble in mass-market areas rather than in designated zones, limiting the policy’s effectiveness.
Under Macau’s gaming regime, operators are subject to an effective tax rate of 40 percent on gross gaming revenue, including a 35 percent direct gaming tax and 5 percent in special contributions. The levy relief applies only to the latter and does not affect core tax revenue, according to government officials.
The government introduced the incentive framework in 2023 as part of the new gaming law, aiming to encourage operators to strengthen overseas marketing, improve international air connectivity, and develop more diversified tourism products.
Officials have repeatedly stressed that the policy is a long-term measure and that its impact will take time to materialize.
Macau’s foreigner-only gaming zones continue to make only a marginal contribution to overall casino revenue despite signs of early progress, an analyst and industry observer told AGB.
The segment generated about HK$3 billion ($385 million) in gross gaming revenue in 2024 and triggered HK$150 million ($19.2 million) in levy relief for operators.
Foreign player gaming accounted for roughly 0.17 percent of total casino revenue for the year, according to a government budget execution review.
The review was discussed last month at the Legislative Assembly of Macau, marking the first time authorities have publicly disclosed detailed data on gaming revenue generated by foreign players under the current incentive framework.
Under Macau’s revised gaming law, operators may receive up to a 5 percent reduction in special contributions linked to gaming revenue generated by international visitors, provided the activity takes place in designated gaming zones within casino properties. These zones were established as part of a broader strategy to encourage operators to develop facilities and services aimed at non-mainland Chinese customers.
Committee chairman and lawmaker Ip Sio Kai said the relief mechanism is intended to support efforts to diversify Macau’s visitor base and reduce reliance on a single source market. The policy forms part of the government’s wider push to reposition the city as an international tourism and leisure destination.
Limited impact
An analyst at an international investment bank, who preferred not to be identified, told Asia Gaming Brief that the financial impact remains limited.
“I think these are positive developments, but they are too small to matter, as foreigners contributed roughly 1 percent of total GGR in 2025,” the analyst said, adding that such levels are insufficient to materially influence operators’ earnings or investment decisions.
Speaking to AGB, Billy Song, president of the Macau Responsible Gaming Association, said the foreigner-only zones require more tailored approaches to become effective. He noted that such areas need to better reflect the cultural backgrounds and preferences of target markets.
“Because these are dedicated zones for foreign visitors, there should be more cultural elements linked to their source markets,” Song said. “For example, having staff who speak Thai or Japanese and providing services that match their preferences could make the experience more attractive.”
Song added that the current scale of foreign play is broadly in line with earlier expectations, given Macau’s tourism structure, in which visitors from mainland China continue to account for the majority of arrivals.
He also noted that many international tourists may still choose to gamble in mass-market areas rather than in designated zones, limiting the policy’s effectiveness.
Under Macau’s gaming regime, operators are subject to an effective tax rate of 40 percent on gross gaming revenue, including a 35 percent direct gaming tax and 5 percent in special contributions. The levy relief applies only to the latter and does not affect core tax revenue, according to government officials.
The government introduced the incentive framework in 2023 as part of the new gaming law, aiming to encourage operators to strengthen overseas marketing, improve international air connectivity, and develop more diversified tourism products.
Officials have repeatedly stressed that the policy is a long-term measure and that its impact will take time to materialize.
https://agbrief.com/intel/deep-dive/05/02/2026/macaus-foreigner-only-gaming-zones-show-early-gains-but-remain-marginal-to-overall-revenue-experts/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=df8cd44768-AGB%3A+%2302321+Thursday%2C+05th+February%2C+2026&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-df8cd44768-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28AGB%3A+%2302321+Thursday%2C+05th+February%2C+2026%29&goal=0_51950b5d21-df8cd44768-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=df8cd44768&mc_eid=31e20475e6
jan26
Visitors from Portugal, Spain below pre-pandemic levels despite investments
https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/visitors-from-portugal-spain-below-pre-pandemic-levels-despite-investments.html
(desde 26/1/26)
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