Hengqin has broadened its building conversion policy by allowing other types of vacant buildings besides offices to be turned into hotels.
According to an official announcement published last Thursday, buildings originally intended for commercial, cultural, creative, high-tech and scientific research purposes can also become hotels if they can offer at least 50 independent rooms and provide space across multiple consecutive floors.
The updated rules come as the mainland Chinese island – administratively a district of Zhuhai – prepares for a surge in demand for hotel beds following the launch of multiple entry visas for Macao.
[See more: Hengqin’s hotel sector gets a boost from new policy measures]
The visas allow cost-conscious mainland Chinese travellers to spend a few days exploring Macao while returning to Hengqin each night for cheaper accommodation.
Building owners in Hengqin who register for conversion are required to commit to their property being used as a hotel for a renewable eight-year term.
Apart from the conversion of empty buildings into hotels, the Hengqin government also announced various policies in April that were aimed at financially supporting the hotel industry and boosting its development with other sectors.
