Some 69 native lodges and visitor homes already included in tourism staycation plan

Around 69 local hotels and guest houses have joined the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project, which was promoted by the tourism authorities to support the local tourism sector. 1,569 hotel packages were sold for around 3,936 residents to enjoy a stay.

Under the plan, every Macau resident is eligible for a one-time MOP200 hotel grant ($ 25), and a couple can use both coupons at the same time for a $ 50 discount on an overnight stay.

According to the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), around 160 travel agencies, over 800 travel industry professionals, 523 coaches and corresponding bus drivers, and 449 local tour guides have signed up for the plan.

The Stay, Dine and See Macao project will run local tours between April 25th and December 31st. Tours are offered on weekends and bank holidays. A total of 2,209 residents have registered so far.

Six local travel routes are offered, including “Tourism + Culture” and “Tourism + Ecology”, including the village of Nossa Senhora in Ká Hó, science learning in the Cotai Ecological Zone, Macau VR / Celebrity Wax Museum, Macau Grand Prix Museum and Handover Gift Museum of Macau, Youth Music and Cultural Appreciation Experience, and Helicopter Flights and Yacht Check-in Tour Experience.

Only the SkyShuttle helicopter ride offer is already on offer, and the yacht check-in tour has attracted 15,552 local applicants.

Local hotel occupancy improved slightly to 47.5 percent between January and February, with average room rates at MOP826 for all hotel types. Ricky Hoi, deputy director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), previously pointed to a hotel booking rate for May’s Golden Week of between 40 and 50 percent.

Visitor arrivals hit a 15-month high of 34,252 on April 16. The upcoming May 1 holiday season will be a critical test of Macau visits and games.