Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng expressed during yesterday’s parliamentary question session his dissatisfaction at the city’s tourism offerings being, in his view, too monotonous and source markets too narrow.
A question from lawmaker Cheung Kin Chung, a tourism industry practitioner, triggered the head of the government revealing his opinion. Cheung wanted to know what the government would do, when the current Covid-19 pandemic ends, to help the industry’s high-quality development.
Furthermore, he asked Ho about government policies in relation to constructing Macau in the direction of a “Big Destination” in the context of regional tours in the Greater Bay Area.
The question was raised timely and appropriately, Ho said, because of its post-Covid nature. Ho cited Thailand as an example to explain the explosion of tourism industry revivals after the country decided to let foreigners in.
He said, in terms of tourism industry revivals in Macau, there are two topics he wished to raise. On one hand, it is about how to attract mainland tourists, specifically tour groups, back to Macau while complying with mainland epidemic control measures.
He disclosed at the parliamentary session that deals had been made last year with the Culture and Tourism Ministry on the resumption of tour groups to Macau, but the deals were halted as new infections were sparked in several cities or provinces.
The other topic is whether Macau should continue to focus on only a single source market, which is mainland China. He suggested the industry to consider this topic.
“In 1999, we had only about seven million tourists, but they came from a wide array of origins: Southeast Asia, Japan and Thailand,” Ho recalled. “We’re too single-minded now.”
Elaborating on his reply, Ho suggested Cheung and the industry contemplate how to widen the source market using the current period as “breaktime.” He also suggested that the industry polish its multilingual and multicultural capabilities so as to cater to people from different origins.
“We now understand what would happen if we only focus on a single market,” Ho said. “We need to become an international tourism and leisure destination, not a Chinese destination.”
The Macao Government Tourism Office, which has representatives in many places around the world, will help attract tourists to Macau, Ho added.
Following Cheung was Chan Chak Mo, who asked about tourism elements, with a particular focus on winter or ice facilities.
Admitting to the lack of large-scale winter activity facilities in Southeast Asia, Ho cited the multifaceted tourism elements in Dubai to prove Macau is not attractive to returning tourists.
He slammed local tourism operators for providing products that are too homogenous, which he says are not appealing to returning tourists.
“When an operator sees the profitability of the aquatic theme park concept, other operators follow suit,” the Chief Executive said, adding that brands, retail products and dining options are as homogenous in Macau.
