DSEDT plans consumer incentive program for ZAPE hotel guests to revitalize the area

The Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) has announced plans to explore a consumer incentive program for hotel guests at ZAPE to assist businesses impacted by the closure of satellite casinos in the area.

In response to inquiries from public broadcaster TDM, the bureau stated that since June last year, it has been supporting the business development of merchants around the satellite casinos in ZAPE.

This support includes distributing coupons for food and beverage establishments through takeout platforms, promoting businesses in the area to tourists via several well-known food and dining guide platforms, and offering promotional gift packages to tourists who purchase concert tickets in Macau.

“In the future, the DSEDT will closely monitor the effectiveness of existing measures, encourage merchant participation, enrich recreational offerings in the district, and further enhance the appeal of the area for both tourists and residents to visit and spend,” the bureau said.

The closure of satellite casinos in the area has led the Macau Chinese Chamber of Commerce to declare that the entire ZAPE area is now “deserted,” advising businesses to reassess their models and shift focus from high-end consumers to attracting hotel residents to dine at local restaurants.

“How can we attract hotel guests within our district to come and spend here? I believe the industry needs to rethink how to transform different business models,” Fong Kin Fu, a representative from the chamber, reportedly stated.

He expressed concern that the closure of the satellite casinos will impact the prices and rents of retail spaces in the district, highlighting that foot traffic has decreased by 70 to 80%. According to him, this decline has particularly slowed business for high-end retailers, who are also facing mounting rental pressures.