Gov’t halts QTSAS applications process

The tourism bureau’s Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme (QTSAS) will not process new applications from the catering sector in 2022.

According to a statement released by the Macao Government Tourism Office, as part of its contingency arrangements, supervision and appraisal will be conducted on accredited catering businesses according to the adjusted assessment criteria this year. 

The scheme halted submissions of applications and assessment for travel agencies in 2022, but pertinent accreditations remain valid for awarded merchants. As for the retail sector, MGTO will continue its collaboration with the Consumer Council, which brings together QTSAS and the Certified Shop Scheme.

MGTO pledged that it would carry on QTSAS’s work to support the trade’s advancement of tourism service quality overall, while encouraging members of the tourism and related industries to join hands in offering “excellent trip experiences.”

QTSAS now groups catering businesses into four applicable subcategories: “Restaurant (hotel),” ”Restaurant (non-hotel),” “Food and Beverage Establishment” and “Simple Dining Establishment.”

The “Special Theme Award” is newly available in the award mechanism, while some of the existing accolades have been renamed.

As the MGTO suspended QTSAS’s application program for the catering sector in 2022, the assessment and conferment of the new award will begin only once the scheme resumes full operation. LV