Asia’s Gambling Hub Reopens for Business

Macau, the gambling hub of Asia, has taken its first steps on the road to recovery as the casino capital starts issuing tourist visas again.

Visas for both individuals and group tours from mainland China will be restored in phases. Macau, like Hong Kong, is a special administrative region (SAR) of China. Authorities did not say when visas will be made available to tourists wanting to travel to Macau from outside China.

Macau’s neighbour Zhuhai is the first mainland city to be issued tourist visas. The opportunity will gradually be rolled out to the rest of the country during August and September, according to a statement from China’s National Immigration Administration.

On top of the re-issuing of visas, the two-week quarantine imposed on Macau travellers upon their return to mainland China was lifted across the country.

Macau’s economy is heavily reliant on the tourism and gaming industry. Visitors from mainland China make up more than 90% of Macau’s tourists, which is home to major casino operators including Sands, Wynn, Galaxy and MGM.