The opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge a little over a year ago has changed the way visitors get to and from Macao, including less frequent use of ferry terminals, concluded a study commissioned by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).
The Study on the Impact of the Inauguration of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on the Tourism Industry says more than 70 percent of visitors to Macao expressed the intention to visit Macao and Hong Kong in one trip following the opening of the bridge, and more than 60 percent of visitors want to travel to multiple destinations. Almost 90 percent of all visitors were satisfied with the bridge.
Face-to-face interviews with visitors to Macao at their port of departure, conducted between April and September 2019, elicited information about changes in their travel patterns linked to the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, their experiences and their appraisal of the bridge. The survey collected 3,070 valid questionnaires.
HKZM Bridge has transformed visitors’ travel pattern
A major finding in the study was the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has changed the travel patterns of visitors to Macao. Among visitors to Macao, 42.7 percent said they would use ferry terminals less often because the bridge was now open. In particular, among visitors from Hong Kong, 60.6 percent said they would use ferry terminals less often.
The study found that while most visitors departed Macao from the same port they arrived at, 23.7 percent that came by road over the bridge departed by air though Macau International Airport. Conversely, 21.9 percent that arrived by air left by road over the bridge.
HKZM Bridge linked to interest in multiple-destination travels
About 72 percent of visitors to Macao said they would visit Macao and Hong Kong in one trip now the bridge was open, and more than 60 percent said they would visit Macao and other cities in Mainland China in one trip. The cities that visitors are most tempted to visit now the bridge is open are Macao, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, in that order.
Awareness of the bridge among visitors reached 85.7 percent. Curiosity was a leading reason for people to use the bridge. Other reasons were to save time or money.
Visitors to Macao were 89.1 percent satisfied overall with the bridge; 71.7 percent were satisfied with the transport between the bridge and the rest of the city.
MGTO will use the research for planning, managing and marketing, with a view to refining its promotion and marketing strategies. A summary of the study is available at http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/file/pdf/HZMB_Study_20191217_en.pdf