Macau: mainland visitors unlikely to return yet

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Beijing, it is unlikely that visas will be issued through the individual visit scheme.

Macau.- Macau casinos expecting mainland visitors to come back to boost gaming revenues might have to wait longer than expected.

Consultancy firm Bernstein Research reported that it is unlikely that the Chinese government will resume granting visas through the individual visit scheme (IVS) in July.

It was expected that the system would return to normal once the Covid-19 pandemic was under control in mainland China. However, the recent second outbreak of the virus in Beijing is likely to mean the restrictions remain in place.

Bernstein said: “The outbreak in Beijing may push back the opening of the borders.

“While there has been some minor loosening, border crossing restrictions to visitation are still largely in place.

“There has been no new information on when IVS visa issuances may begin. But once they start, we expect a phased approach preceded by health certifications most likely (at this stage, while we remain hopeful, we are skeptical that IVSs will resume in July).”

Although restrictions continue, Macau’s tourism numbers showed a slight recovery in May in relation to the previous month.

The Macau Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) said Macau received 16,133 visitors in May, 99.5 per cent less that in May 2019, but up by 46.1 per cent compared to April.