MGTO holds press conference for second-phase itineraries under “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project
Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) joined the Task Force for “Stay, Dine and See Macao” to announce the 19 local tour itineraries launched for the second phase of the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project today. Residents can join the themed tours during the summer holidays in July and August or opt for staycation in the hotels they like. Interested residents can sign up for the tours from tomorrow (17 June). Every permanent or non-permanent Macao SAR resident who has not joined the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project before is entitled to a one-time subsidy for each of both categories – local tour and hotel staycation.
A press conference is held today (16 June) to unveil the details about the local tour itineraries of the second phase of the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong, Chairman of Travel Industry Council of Macau, Andy Wu, Secretary General of Macau Travel Agency Association, Leong Sio Pan as well as Advisor of Association of Macao Tourist Agents, Guan Dehui, attended the press conference together with other personages.
The “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project goes on from April to the end of December 2021. At the first phase, six local tour itineraries and hotel staycation experience were launched for signup in mid-April. The project aims to support the travel trade while providing an initiative for residents to enjoy local dining, sightseeing and hotel staycation economically. The project is set to spur rises in domestic demand and spending in communities, leading to further recovery of the tourism and related industries.
19 itineraries teeming with highlights come into spotlight
In April, the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project launched six local tour itineraries for the first phase. The second phase of the project includes four of the first-phase itineraries while offering 15 new itineraries. In total, there will be 19 fascinating itineraries at residents’ choice. The new highlights range from offer of immersive experience through themed workshops, sport activities, water fun, patriotic itineraries, maritime tours and more. Summer holidays have always been the peak season for family outbound travel. To cater for demands to spend summer vacation in Macao during the pandemic, tour groups will set off daily for some of the itineraries, promising a wonderful summer for all.
Sea, land and air itineraries at your choice
The second-phase itineraries incorporate “tourism +” elements. The 15 new itineraries include:
Three itineraries under “Maritime Tour Series” – experience Macao by sea, land and air through tour coach/open-top bus tour and visit to Macau Tower; the sunshine maritime tour with visit to Macau Tower at day time and offer of culinary delights on cruise;
Five itineraries under “Parent & Child·Sports·DIY Series” – explore Coloane Karting Track and enjoy the nature at Seac Pai Van Park; experience kids’ soccer and explore Macao Science Center; golf experience and floral appreciation; Chinese BBQ pork preparation DIY and visit to Cultural and Creative Industry Zones; Chinese BBQ pork preparation DIY and visit to Macau Beer Brewery;
Five itineraries under “Adventure·Fun Series” – experience ZIPCITY and GoAirborne; enjoy water fun at the Grand Resort Deck of Galaxy Macau or Studio City Water Park; teamLab SuperNature at the VenetianMacao and Macao Science Center; explore Grand Lisboa and Macau Jockey Club;
Two itineraries under “Legendary Figures·Patriotic Series” – visit Macao Science Center and Lin Zexu Memorial Museum of Macao; patriotic tour on 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China.
The four existing itineraries from the first phase are themed as follows: Explore Nossa Senhora Village of Ká Hó, VR Experience/Encounter with celebrities + Motorcycle Gallery + Portuguese egg tart DIY, Explore the history of Macao and Macau Grand Prix, as well as Helicopter ride experience.
Every Macao resident is entitled to a maximum of 280-patacas subsidy for local tour participation, as well as a 100-patacas dining card (except the helicopter ride experience and yacht check-in tour as well as the maritime tours). After subsidized, the tour fee will range between 28 – 588 patacas, covering sightseeing, tour guide and insurance fees. The local tours are conducted in Cantonese, Portuguese and English for different residents’ needs.
Lots will be drawn for helicopter ride experience
Lots will again be drawn to assign quotas to applicants for the much-popular helicopter ride experience and yacht check-in tour. Interested residents can apply at accredited travel agencies from 10 a.m. on 17 June until 6 p.m. on 20 June. Applicants who were listed by the first round of lots in April but could not join the tour within the quotas will enter the second round of lots directly without needing to apply again. The electronic lots will be drawn on 21 June.
Another way to experience Macao — Staycation
Besides local tours, hotel staycation experience is offered from Monday to Sunday as well as on public holidays until the end of December in 2021. The hotels under the project are ready to welcome residents especially during the summer holidays. Some hotels also offer staycation packages that include other tourism products, while others feature partnership with products of community businesses to enrich residents’ staycation experience. Every Macao resident is granted one 200-patacas subsidy for hotel staycation. The cost of each hotel room can be subsidized for a maximal quota of two residents, i.e. 400 patacas.
“Stay, Dine and See Macao” enjoys popularity
Since the first batch of tour groups set off on 25 April up to 14 June 2021, a total of 297 tour groups have embarked upon the six itineraries, involving 9,445 participants. For experience of local hotels, a total of 8,343 hotel packages have been sold from the day of launch (23 April) up to 14 June, involving 21,029 overnight guests in total. So far, among the six itineraries, the helicopter ride experience and yacht check-in tour ranks as the most popular, followed by the tour of exploring architectures at Nossa Senhora Village of Ká Hó, and the tour to Macao VR/Celebrity Wax Museum.
Rigorous compliance with latest guidelines on pandemic prevention
Local tours under the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project are operated in strict compliance with Health Bureau’s guidelines on pandemic prevention, including the requirements to wear masks, have the temperature checked and present Macao Health Code, among other measures, whereas holders of Macao Health Code in Red or Yellow Colour are not allowed to participate in the above tours. Upon admission to public establishments during the local tours, tour participants are required to present Macao Health Code in accordance with the latest version of “Prevention of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia – Recommendation to Require Presentation of ‘Macao Health Code’ for Admission to Public Areas” issued by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
MGTO will continue to pay close attention to the latest situation of the COVID-19 pandemic while making prompt and appropriate arrangements for all the activities in accord with the guidelines issued by Health Bureau. In case of adverse weather conditions, residents who have signed up for the project are advised to stay tuned to the latest activity arrangements.
For details about enrollment for local tours and hotel experience under the project as well as information about various travel agencies concerned, please visit the designated website:https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/article/subsidies/macao-tour-hotel (The English version of the new itineraries is coming up soon). For other enquiries, please dial 83963052/28389153 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
