Peak travel times present problems
The results of Macau’s long-awaited tourism study are in, and they indicate Macau has not yet reached tourist overload.
According to GGRAsia, the world’s No. 1 gaming destination saw a record 31.5 million visitors in 2014. But it could welcome between 32.6 million and 33.7 million visitors, or up to 92,300 tourists a day, says a new study by the Institute for Tourism Studies.
Even so, peak travel periods caused complaints from both residents and the government; they agreed that the influx of vacationers in high-travel times affects quality of life for people who live in Macau, and also makes it less fun for visitors.
“In the near future, it is highly recommended that measures be taken to moderate and balance the growth in visitor numbers so that it is managed in a stable method, avoiding any rapid surge or decrease,” said the report.
The city and the Beijing government are considering stricter visa rules to prevent an overflow of tourists, but some analysts say that could only deepen the recession in the city, which has seen 10 consecutive months of decline in casino revenues.
The study affirms that transportation capabilities must be improved, especially with new resorts opening on the Cotai Strip. Macau is set to almost double its hotel capacity in coming years; that’s a whopping 25,900 new rooms.
Unfortunately, two of Macau’s major transport infrastructure projects may be delayed, reported GGRAsia, including a light rail system designed to easily move people around the city.
