The second phase of the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project is under way, offering Macao residents an opportunity to enjoy a diversity of local sightseeing tours. The project presents 19 itineraries teeming with fascinating highlights, just in time for a summer break, meaning residents can join the themed tours during the holidays in July and August, or opt for a hotel staycation.
“Stay, Dine and See Macao” aims to spur rises in domestic demand and spending in communities for the gradual revival of tourism and related industries. The project is part of the Macao SAR Government’s “2021 Scheme for Employment Security, Economic Stabilisation and Care for Residents’ Livelihood”.
The second phase of the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project has begun receiving applications on 17 June, and attracted more than 12,000 enthusiastic applicants as of 30 June.
The programme runs until December, having started in April with sign-ups for six local tour itineraries and hotel staycation experiences (related article here). Every permanent or non-permanent Macao SAR resident who has not previously joined the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project is entitled to a one-time subsidy for each of both categories – local tour and hotel staycation.
Innovative itineraries
The project’s second phase includes four of the itineraries from phase one, while offering 15 new itineraries. The new highlights range from immersive themed workshops, sport activities, water fun, patriotic itineraries, maritime tours and more.
To cater to local demand and particularly of families spending their summer vacation in Macao, tour groups will set off daily for some of the itineraries, promising a wonderful summer. The new itineraries are divided under the themes “Maritime Tour Series”, “Adventure·Fun Series” and “Parent & Child·Sports·DIY Series” .
There are three itineraries in the “Maritime Tour Series”, each allowing participants to experience Macao by touring the city by sea, land and air.
The five itineraries in the “Adventure·Fun Series” are: a chance to experience ZIPCITY and GoAirborne; enjoy water fun at the Grand Resort Deck of Galaxy Macau resort; the Studio City Water Park; teamLab SuperNature at the Venetian Macao and Macao Science Center; and explore the Grand Lisboa property and Macau Jockey Club.
The “Parent & Child·Sports·DIY Series” includes five itineraries: exploring the Coloane Karting Track and enjoying Seac Pai Van Park; children soccer and tour of the Macao Science Center; golf experience and floral appreciation; barbecue pork preparation and a visit to Cultural and Creative Industry Zones; and barbecue pork preparation and a tour of the Macau Beer Brewery.
The two Itineraries under the “Legendary Figures·Patriotic Series” comprise of a Macao Science Center visit and Lin Zexu Memorial Museum of Macao, and a tour to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China.
The four ongoing itineraries from the first phase are: Explore Nossa Senhora Village of Ká Hó; VR Experience/Encounter with celebrities + Motorcycle Gallery + Portuguese egg tart DIY; Explore the history of Macao and Macau Grand Prix; and the Helicopter ride experience.
Every Macao resident is entitled to a maximum MOP280 subsidy for their tour and a MOP100 dining card, with some exceptions. After the subsidy, tour fees will range between MOP28 and MOP588.
Experience Macao on staycation
Aside from local tours, the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” programme also offers hotel staycation experience from Monday to Sunday as well as on public holidays until the end of December 2021. The hotels involved are ready to welcome residents especially during the summer holidays.
Some hotels provide staycation packages that include other tourism products, while others feature partnership with products of community businesses to enrich residents’ staycation experience.
Every Macao resident is granted one MOP200 subsidy for a staycation. The cost of each hotel room can be subsidised to a maximum of MOP400, or the equivalent of the amount for two residents.
The “Stay, Dine and See Macao” programme has welcomed applications since mid-April and until the end of June a total of 357 tour groups had joined the initial six itineraries, involving 11,356 participants. The first phase of the programme engaged 534 tour bus drivers, 451 local tour guides, 167 travel agencies, 67 hotels and guest houses, and 534 tour buses.
Among the local hotel experiences, by end of June nearly 11,500 hotel packages had been sold, involving more than 29,000 overnight guests in total.
Itineraries enhance city’s glamour
Travellers to Macao are welcome to sign up for a tour itinerary of the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” programme at full price for any of the occasions, except the Helicopter Ride Experience and Yacht Check-in Tour.
In the meantime, response to the Macao Highlight Tours, launched by Macao’s travel trade specifically for visitors, has been robust. Operating in small-sized groups, the Macao Highlight Tours allow visitors to enjoy private tours along tailor-made itineraries. Transportation services are arranged for tour participants who can request a guide speaking Cantonese, Mandarin or English.
During the Macao Tourism and MICE Presentation Seminars organised by the Macao SAR Government as part of the Macao Weeks in Jiangsu and Shanghai, the Macao Highlight Tours won the attention of the travel trade.
Helicopter Ride Experience and Yacht Check-in Tour
The popular helicopter ride experience continues to be in high demand for the second phase of the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” programme.
A total of 3,496 Macao residents had applied for the “Helicopter Ride Experience and Yacht Check-in Tour” by the 20 June deadline. That was in addition to the 14,486 residents who had applied in the first phase but were not granted the chance to join the tour, to a total of 17,982 people eligible for the electronic lots in this latest round.
Electronic lots for this local tour were drawn on 21 June, and each of the participants was assigned a sequence number randomly. Applicants numbered 1 to 648 were each given two quotas to join the “Helicopter Ride Experience and Yacht Check-in Tour” in July and August, amounting to 1,296 participants in total.
The “Helicopter Ride Experience and Yacht Check-in Tour” will take place every Saturday and Sunday in July and August, setting off at respectively three time slots: 2 p.m., 2:45 p.m., and 3 p.m. Each helicopter can accommodate up to 12 passengers on a single tour.
Compliance with pandemic prevention guidelines
Local tours under the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project and the Macao Highlight Tours are operated in strict compliance with Health Bureau’s guidelines on pandemic prevention, including the requirements to wear masks, have the temperature checked and present Macao Health Code, among other measures.
MGTO will continue to pay close attention to the latest situation of the COVID-19 pandemic while making prompt and appropriate arrangements for all the activities in accord with the guidelines issued by Health Bureau. In case of adverse weather conditions, residents who have signed up for the project are advised to stay tuned to the latest activity arrangements.
For further details about the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” please visit www.macaotourism.gov.mo. For other enquiries, please dial 8396 3052 / 2838 9153 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The second phase of the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project was launched in June 
With 19 local tour itineraries open to residents, the project offers activities over the summer holidays 
The second phase of the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” project has opened, and is attracting many signups