Lawmaker Zheng: measures to boost old neighborhoods failing

Government measures to revitalize the economy of community neighborhoods are not working as they should, lawmaker Zheng Anting said yesterday in a speech at the Legislative Assembly (AL).

Zheng noted that while Macau saw an incredible influx of visitors over the Golden Week of the National Day Holidays, this inflow, as on previous occasions, had only caused problems in the local public transport network and brought little benefit to local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the old neighborhoods.

The lawmaker suggested the government amend its policies and measures.

“Additional transit facilities must be improved at the most popular tourist attractions, and the difficulty of taking a taxi must be solved,” he said.

“There are no bus routes to connect some tourist attractions, and it is difficult to get a taxi, so visitors can only get around on foot, which affects their experience and results in crowds.”

“The government must, in the short term, create special bus routes in the most visited tourist spots and increase the frequency of routes during holidays, to transport visitors ‘point to point,’ thus allowing greater fluidity in visit itineraries.”

Another aspect that needs improvement is the enforcement of online taxi-hailing services as well as an improved radio taxis service “to ensure better quality transport for citizens and tourists.”

Zheng also wanted the government to “create more modern commercial elements in residential areas, to attract more tourists.”

He noted the exaggerated agglomeration of tourists in just one or two popular areas.

Last but not least, the same lawmaker called for the government to seriously evaluate the effects of the consumption incentive measures launched.

The so-called “Consumption Carnivals” that attribute bonuses to buyers while acquiring products and services are having a disastrous effect.

“According to some citizens, there was an unreasonable increase in prices in some stores after the launch of the consumption benefit, and when prices rise, they rarely fall again, which can cause an economic burden in the long term,” Zheng said.

He hopes the government can supervise the situation more rigorously and create an evaluation system for stores that play by the rules, distinguishing them from others that take advantage of these benefits to exploit the consumers.