2013-9-25 From：Macau Daily Times The number of tourist groups visiting Macau from the mainland is expected to drop by some 50 percent next month, after a new mainland tourism law takes effect on October 1, according to Max Lau, head of the Macau Travel Agency Association. Lau believes that the new law will steer tourists towards “rational consumption”. “Prices of tourist groups will increase according to the new law. Tourists will gradually find that what they paid in the past was not the real cost of the trip.” According to Lau, who is also a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the new law targets mainland agencies. He explained that Macau’s tourist industry should cooperate. However, he estimated that it might take at least three months for the local industry to “digest” the information released in the new law. He said that during that period, the number of tourist groups might see a drop. As Lau estimated, the number of tourist groups in October may decrease by nearly 50 percent. Article 35 of the new tourism law prohibits China’s domestic travel agencies from “organizing tourism activities and luring tourists with unreasonably low prices, which is estimated to cause the previously under-market package rate to surge instantly.” Furthermore, Chinese travel agencies shall not “designate specific shopping places, or provide tourism services that require additional payment.” “Agencies need to adjust their products accordingly; some may need to transform to provide high-end services,” Mr. Lau has advised. Speaking as one of the organizers, Lau presented at the press conference of the first Macao International Travel Expo yesterday. Tse Heng Sai, Deputy Director of the Macau Government Tourist office (MGTO), who also presided over the conference, commented that a set period of time is needed in which to adapt. But she did not reveal how long this would take. “Since we put forth the goal of building an international tourism city, we aim to increase the quality of tourists rather than the mere increase of tourist numbers. The new tourism law could surely boost healthy and long-term development of the travel industry,” she said. Organized by the Association of Macao Tourist Agents; the Macau Travel Agency Association; the Travel Industry Council of Macau; and the Macao World Heritage Promotion Association; the first Macau International Travel Expo (MITE) will be held from October 11 to 13 at The Venetian Macao Cotai Expo Hall D. The expo will highlight the “tourism product supermarket” in its first inauguration, which offers discounts on various tourism products such as air tickets, hotels, SPA, vouchers and so on. According to organizers, more than 100 participants from 12 countries and 36 mainland cities will join the event. In addition, more than 300 standard booths will be provided. During the expo, 12 seminars will be held, focusing on topics such as creative designs for scenic spots, wine tours, and human resource strategies for hotel management. Copyright@Macau Daily Times

• 2013-09-26