The relaxation of the Covid-19 nucleic acid test validity period is “great news for the hotel industry” and for those in Macao depending on tourism, Artyzen Hospitality Group Area Vice President-Macau Operations Rutger Verschuren has said.
Although the increase in the percentage of hotel bookings has not been immediate, Verschuren noted that “we shall see quite a rapid pick-up moving a bit forward, while a slow pick-up” was expected for the upcoming weeks. He added that he thinks it needs some more encouragement as well as for people in mainland China to be more aware of the NAT validity relaxation to allow for a real improvement.
Moreover, he noted that June is traditionally a “weak month for tourism”, but that the NAT test validity period “is definitely a positive sign” and is a good start to “look at a more positive summer ahead of us”. Verschuren pointed out that Artyzen is upbeat that August should be a positive month while also “looking at better days for Macao”.
Asked what measures he would like to see launched or relaxed, Verschuren replied that the current direction was the way to go. He also pointed out “glimmers of hope” concerning travel restrictions, such as reducing the quarantine period and blue card holders being able to travel and come back again.
However, he acknowledged that there are also concerns over risks of another Covid-19 outbreak in the city once more tourists start crossing the border. Verschuren urged the government and the people of Macao to be careful and to “make sure to do all we can to prevent an outbreak”, The Macau Post Daily reported.
