Public prefers visitor tax set above 100 patacas

The deputy director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Hoi Io Meng, said yesterday that research on the proposed tourism levy has been submitted to the “upper level.” Most respondents in the survey wished the tax to be set between 100 and 200 patacas.

The office is under the purview of the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture, so this report implies that the data is now with the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, and other senior officials from this part of the government.

Hoi’s team also submitted analyses alongside the data. They focused on the impact on the city’s attractiveness upon tourists if a tax were to be levied. The office also examined the city’s tourism capacity.

The government will further analyze the data from a macro perspective, taking into account Macau’s position in the Greater Bay Area, the city’s economic outlook and other administrative or legal measures that may be necessary.

The tourism official said some respondents had proposed a tax of nearly 1,000 patacas. AL