Macau eyes free transfers from Guangzhou airport to lure international tourists

[Photo; xinhua]

Macau is exploring a new incentive to attract international visitors: covering transport costs for those flying into Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and traveling on to the casino hub. The move aims to counter a decline in long-haul flight connectivity caused by geopolitical tensions.

The proposal, unveiled on the opening day of the 14th Macau International Travel Industry Expo (MITE), aims to attract long-haul tourists amid a decline in direct flights to nearby Hong Kong.

“We are considering covering transport costs for international guests arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, so they can travel to Macau after arrival,” Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) said.

Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, lies approximately 150 kilometres from Macau.

Fernandes noted that the city already subsidizes transfers for international tourists landing at Hong Kong International Airport as part of a broader push to diversify visitor sources.

The proposed Guangzhou scheme, she explained, responds to a “reduction of flights from the Middle East and Europe” to Hong Kong due to the war in Iran. “There are direct flights from Europe to Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Guangzhou,” she added.

Speaking at the same event, Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Tai Kin Ip, acknowledged “uncertainties in the international environment and geopolitics,” and said the city hopes to broaden its visitor base accordingly. “The MSAR Government will continue to diversify its range of tourism products, organise major events, improve supporting infrastructure, and strengthen publicity and promotion,” he said.

The three-day expo at the Venetian Macau, themed “Global Convergence, Future Horizons,” featured over 130 activities, including tourism promotions and industry forums.

According to the MGTO, more than 700 exhibitors from national and international markets took part, including nine from Portuguese-speaking countries.

The event also highlights Macau’s “1+4” economic diversification strategy, which aims to reduce reliance on gaming by bolstering the tourism and leisure sector alongside big health, modern finance, high technology, and conventions, exhibitions, trade, and sports.

Organizers stated that the initiative will “help expand business networks” and “promote regional and international tourism exchange,” as Macau seeks new growth engines in a developing global environment.