Macau drops tourist tax idea

The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) announced on Thursday that it was dropping the notion of imposing a tax on inbound tourists.

“After making a comprehensive assessment of the findings of the Feasibility Study on Tourist Tax Imposition, the characteristics of Macau’s tourism industry as well as the latest turn of the situation, the Special Administrative Region Government decided to bring an end to its consideration of the possibility of tourist tax imposition,” the statement said.

The studies conducted last year “revealed a divergence of opinions among different stakeholders in the society,” and the recent Covid-19 crisis made the outcome of the deliberations a foregone conclusion.

“With the pivotal role of tourism in the local economy, the course of tourism development towards sustainability directly influences Macau’s economic prospects. After comprehensive contemplation of the study findings, the characteristics of local tourism as well as the turn of the situation, the SAR Government decided to end its consideration of tourist tax imposition,” the MGTO concluded.

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