Author: Lynzy Valles, MDT
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UM forecasts up to 44% GDP growth in 2023
The University of Macau (UM) projects that the economy will grow between 20.5% and 44.1% this year, with recovery being more obvious in the second half ... -
Reemployment of blue card holders a dilemma for integrated resorts
The hospitality sector may encounter difficulties reemploying non-resident workers to fill job-vacancies in the currently busy sector. The sudden tourist influx amid the sector’s staff shortage ... -
Understaffed hotel sector caught off-guard by influx of tourists
The government has admitted that the hotel sector is understaffed amid the current tourism advertising campaign that aims to boost tourist arrivals in the city following ... -
Ferry services resume Sunday, ending nearly three-year hiatus
Ferry services will resume Jan. 8, the same day the city will welcome tourists of all nationalities, with hopes of ending a nearly three-year foreign tourist ... -
Integrated resorts looking for staff via Manila agency
A recruitment agency in the Philippines has posted new job alerts for positions in the city’s integrated resorts, signaling renewed need for staff in the sector ... -
Pandemic peak reached: SSM
Macau has reached the peak of the current wave of the pandemic, as residents have grappled with the rapid spread of Covid. Although, following Beijing, asymptomatic ... -
Junkets to guarantee gov’t with MOP1.5m in legal overhaul
Gaming promoters, more commonly known as junket operators, will be required to pay MOP1.50 million to have their licenses renewed from January 1. The day marks ... -
Golden Bus frequency up to 30 trips per day
The Golden Bus route has added more bus services between Macau and Hong Kong, with up to 30 buses scheduled each day. The increased frequency has ... -
30% of hospitalized patients considered ‘severe cases’: Gov’t
With over 300 Covid-19 patients currently hospitalized, some 100 cases are considered severe due to underlying diseases, according to the Health Bureau director, Alvis Lo. Of ... -
Operators to face extra 20% of non-gaming investment if GGR tops MOP180b
The six gaming operators are expected to face another burden if gaming revenues reach MOP180 billion each year, as they will be required to invest an ... -
Mainlanders rush to Macau for mRNA vaccine
Mainlanders are reportedly rushing to Macau to get mRNA Covid-19 vaccines ahead of an expected new wave of the virus. This occurs amidst moves away from ... -
Macau stops tracking asymptomatic cases
In a move that follows China, Macau will no longer track asymptomatic cases. This is because such cases have become impossible to track now that mass ... -
Migrant mothers in dilemma over city’s alleged ultimatum visas on their toddlers
A group of non-resident mothers who have given birth in the region because border restrictions prevented them from flying home are in despair because their toddlers ... -
Gov’t expects cases to peak in three weeks
The government is expecting the pandemic to peak in the third or fourth week following the easing of restrictions, despite the rising number of cases. Yesterday, ... -
‘High-value services’ expected as gaming sector faces new era
Local companies are expected to continually develop the offerings of high-value services and products, as Macau is set to enter a new era next month where ... -
Over 200 residents violate electoral bribery laws over ‘free catering, gifts’
Electoral bribery in the seventh Legislative Assembly (AL) Elections involving provision of “free tour, catering and gifts” to some 200 citizens has been detected by the corruption ... -
Investors bet on China’s reopening leading to casino shares rising
Macau’s casinos stocks are again on the rise with Wynn Macau in the lead, as its shares rose by 22.39% as China began relaxing its strict ... -
Fitch estimates 46% rebound in 2023 amid ‘lack of clarity’ on timing of policy shifts
Heightened policy uncertainty and a lacklustre recovery in mainland China, coupled with the global monetary tightening cycle and recessions in the US and Eurozone, will affect ... -
Aim to attract mainland tourists remains despite ‘unstable policy’
The Macau SAR’s “unstable” Covid-19 policy has deterred mainland Chinese travelers from visiting, making it an “unpopular” destination for mainland visitors, according to China’s giant global travel ... -
Latest outbreak brings total cases to 35
Health authorities announced four new Covid-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total number of cases to 35 in this latest outbreak. During this current outbreak, the government ... -
Casino on track for worst year on record, with November revenues plunging 56% y-o-y
Casino revenues in November plunged 56% from the previous year to MOP3 billion patacas, another figure that is set to likely put Macau on its worst ... -
Wynn leads stock rally after conclusion of bidding process that ‘lacks transparency’
Casino shares rallied yesterday following the announcement of the new licenses the incumbent big six will receive by the end of the year, with Wynn Macau ... -
Incumbent casinos win new licenses, Genting shut out
The six incumbent operators will retain their concessions and will be awarded a 10-year license, ending the major uncertainties surrounding the concessionaires who have long been ... -
Historic landmarks retold to bolster city’s identity
A book of stories about Macau’s historic sites and landmarks has recently launched – a project that is considered to be a pandemic-born venture. With Macau ... -
Gov’t issues new NAT requirement for mainland arrivals
All mainland visitors will be required to undergo a nucleic acid test (NAT) on the second day after arriving, the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre ... -
MS: Choppy recovery expected as mainland cases spike
Morgan Stanley is expecting the gaming industry’s near-term recovery to remain choppy due to the Covid-19 spikes in Guangdong and mainland China. Despite resumption of e-visas ... -
SAR’s bleak scenario continues as GDP contracts 33% in Q3
The SAR’s gross domestic product (GDP) plunged 33.4% year-on-year in the third quarter of this year as the city battled its largest outbreak since 2020. Due ... -
Insurance market to ‘grow stronger than ever’ amid developments in GBA
Macau is said to have become the premier destination for Greater Bay Area (GBA) residents seeking insurance products. In an interview with the Times, Manulife said ... -
Analyst: MOP100b investment a ‘noose around the operators’ necks’
The reported MOP100 billion investment from casino-license bidders is considered unsurprising, despite the sector bleeding cash with no certainty on recovery. With the embattled gaming sector ... -
New cases will not affect upcoming large-scale events
The city’s most recent Covid cases reported yesterday will have no effect on upcoming events including the Grand Prix, Macau Food Festival, as well as the ... -
Body found decomposing in apparent suicide
Two women have been found dead separately, one of whom was a senior citizen whose body was found decomposing. A statement from the Judiciary Police (PJ) ... -
Investment plans reach MOP100 billion amid recovery uncertainties
The investment plans of future gaming concessionaires cumulatively amount to a staggering MOP100 billion amid uncertainties surrounding the city’s full border opening. According to a TDM ... -
Sniff and savor the ‘diamond of the kitchen’
Chef Michele has done it again. It is the time of year when several city restaurants showcase their truffle menus to coincide with the white truffle ... -
Wynn Macau seeing occupancy buildup amid relaunch of eVisas
Wynn Macau is seeing a buildup in occupancy this coming weekend, president of Wynn Macau Ian Coughlan told analysts in an earnings call. The resumption of ... -
Gov’t drops entry permit requirement for non-residents
The government has lessened the requirements for non-resident workers and diplomats to return to the SAR amid its adherence to Beijing’s zero-Covid policy. A statement from ...
