Tourism Development Committee holds First Plenary Meeting of 2019

The Tourism Development Committee (CDT in its Portuguese acronym) - chaired by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and Chairman of the CDT Alexis Tam - held its first plenary meeting of 2019 on 29^th May.

Stakeholders invited to suggest solutions for tourism carrying capacity

Secretary Tam stated that the government embraces an open approach to the feasibility study of imposing a tourist tax, adding that it is only one of various possible measures addressing the issue of tourism carrying capacity. The SAR Government is vigorously examining possible solutions to strike a balance between the quality of residents’ life and tourism industry development, while encouraging stakeholders to submit more valuable suggestions.

Numerous CDT members expressed their feedback and perspectives on the imposition of a tourist tax, expressing concerns about the objective and effectiveness of the respective policy as well as its potential influence upon the building and concerted development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Some members pointed out the close relevance between Macao’s tourism carrying capacity and its border-crossing capacity, transportation system and crowd management measures at major tourist attractions. 

It was suggested an appointment system be implemented for visits to tourist attractions for the management of daily visitor admissions. One CDT member suggested formulating short and long-term policies to tackle the issue of tourism carrying capacity in a comprehensive way, and the setting up of an interdepartmental taskforce to put respective measures into practice in the long run.

Four taskforces identify important issues

Co-ordinators of the four CDT taskforces delivered reports on the concerns and suggestions of their committee members. The Taskforce on Human Resources and Quality Management reported on human resources and employment of drivers, while the Taskforce on Tourism Policy, Planning and Regional Co-operation reported on CDT members’ concerns about tourism carrying capacity and the feasibility of imposing a tourist tax. 

The Taskforce on Tourism Branding and Marketing reported the outcome of discussions on promotional initiatives for Art Macao and the 20^thAnniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR, while the Taskforce on Tourism Products and Events reported on the Macao Grand Prix Museum and Wine Museum, providing various suggestions on related concerns.

Moreover, a representative of Caritas Macau gave a brief presentation on the second-phase survey study of accessible tourism facilities in Macao. The Counsellor for Inclusive and Accessible Tourism of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Kuan Kuok Lok, delivered introductory remarks prior to the report presentation of Caritas Macau. Macao Government Tourism Office Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes called for industry operators, especially hotels, to refer to the respective guideline for enhancement of the accessibility of their facilities. The Tourism Office also rolled out pertinent training for awareness enhancement of industry operators.

In concluding the meeting, Alexis Tam observed that Art Macao can foster the flourishing of non-gaming elements in Macao and deliver the city’s strengths as a platform, while enhancing the cultural tastes of Macao residents and cultivating the cultural attainments of the young. He also shared the accomplishments of the government’s two official visits to Portugal in the first half of the year. 

Tam further called for the support of industry operators by putting accessible tourism into practice apropos the launch of the study on accessible tourism facilities in Macao.