Melco Resorts and Entertainment chairman Lawrence Ho is urging officials to accelerate a multiple-entry visa scheme between Macao and Hengqin for mainlanders, Inside Asia Gaming reports. Hengqin’s Economic Development Bureau recently indicated such a scheme could be on the horizon.
Ho told media that multiple-entry visas would give mainland Chinese the option to stay in Hengqin – where hotel rates are cheaper – ultimately encouraging more of them to visit Macao.
At present, only single-entry visas are available, meaning mainland Chinese must apply for a new visa each time they want to visit Macao. This makes it impractical to stay in Hengqin, which is a district of the neighbouring city of Zhuhai.
[See more: ‘Visit Macao, stay in Hengqin’ plan moves forward]
Ho noted that a multiple-entry scheme would ease the pressure on Macao hotels and resorts, many of which were operating at capacity. “If [mainland travellers] can make multiple round trips to Macau through Hengqin, it will be better for the development of Macau and Hengqin in the long run,” he said.
Asked whether allowing Macao tourists to base themselves in Hengqin would have a detrimental impact on the SAR’s hotel sector, Ho said that he saw the two markets as complementary.
“Many of the hotels in Macau are five-star hotels, while Hengqin has more three-star or four-star hotels,” said Ho.
