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More budget accommodation helps attract more visitors to old neighbourhoods: MGTO

More budget accommodation helps attract more visitors to old neighbourhoods: MGTO

According to Macau’s tourism chief, budget accommodation is increasingly available in the old quarters, attracting tourists to visit lesser-known attractions.

That was said by Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), who spoke at the official opening of Hotel Central on Monday.

The nearly 100-year-old hotel came into the hands of the Lek Heng Group (LHG) in 2016. The facelift only began in early 2020, but against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With 114 new guest rooms, the 11-story building now has an occupancy rate of more than 90 percent.

“It has been two months since the trial operation started in May. Initially, the occupancy rate was not high due to insufficient promotion,” Sio Chong Meng, founder of LHF, told the media.

“We have gradually increased our promotional efforts and the occupancy rate has increased. In June, it exceeded 90 percent amid rising room rates. We are confident that the occupancy rate for July and August will exceed 90 percent. We are now at 70 percent bookings.

Meanwhile, the director of tourism said in her media interview that authorities have long encouraged the presence of a wide range of accommodation options in the city, to cater to different tastes.

“With the growing number of these budget hotels in the old neighborhoods, it is expected to be more convenient for travelers planning to stay in these neighborhoods,” Fernandes said.

“In recent years there has been an increase in the number of budget accommodations with two stars or lower, especially in the old city. This helps to attract tourists to other areas for sightseeing and spending.”

In May, 143 hotels were operational, 13 more than last year.

This equates to a supply of 47,000 guest rooms, an increase of 9.3 percent compared to last year.

According to the MGTO website, approximately 40 percent of the 149 accommodations have at least four stars.