Macau Tourism Office finally settles on tourist tax fee

The tax rate should be set at between MOP 100 (US$12.50) and MOP 200 (US$25) per head, according to MGTO.

Macau.- After months spent discussing a potential tourist tax on visitors to Macau, the Macao Government Tourism Office has settled on a price it believes should be levied. According to GGRAsia, the tax will be between MOP 100 (U$12.50) and MOP 200 (U$25.00) per head.

Hoi Io Meng, the Deputy Director of the MGTO, said the price range decided was based on a survey of local residents, conducted between May 20 and June 20, 2019.

The results of the survey were released in early July and revealed that local citizens thought a reasonable price for a tourist tax would be MOP100. 

The final decision will be taken by the government, which is currently assessing the results of the survey. Some operators that will be affected by the tourist tax have shared their thoughts on how the money raised should be spent. MGM China Holding’s Grant Bowie suggested proceeds could be used to help pay for more tourism campaigns, helping drive industry growth.

Analysts have predicted a slow start for the gambling industry in Macau, but it seems it won’t be a full year of doom and gloom. According to brokerage Sanford C Bernstein, the Macau casino sector will enjoy some growth in 2020.