The Chinese government may launch a visa multi-entry visa between Macau and Hengqin for Chinese tour groups as soon as next month, a source familiar with the matter told AGB.

The Artyzen Hotel brand, under gaming mogul Pansy Ho’s Shun Tak Group, opens the new Habitat Hengqin Zhuhai on Thursday, March 28th.

Grand Lapa Macau, located adjacent to Sands Macao on the Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal has announced it has rebranded as Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau.

Even though the world's largest gaming hub Macau recovered strongly in the first half of the year, it still needs to catch up with neighboring Hengqin or Zhuhai, according to an industry insider.

Hengqin is only 200 meters away from the world's biggest gaming hub Macau and was established in 2009 to help Macau diversify its economy by developing other industries. Now the area is stepping up its efforts for synergy with its neighbors, as luxury hotel brands move in and MICE facilities ramp up. 

New visa policy changes for mainland Chinese visitors to Macau will be ‘marginally beneficial in the short-term’ and the ‘sentiment around the Chinese government with respect to Macau is certainly positive’, notes analyst Vitaly Umanski.

The non-gaming investment requirements for Macau gaming concessionaires are already reshaping the Special Administrative Region, according to industry experts interviewed by AGB.

Shun Tak Holdings announced 1H21 unaudited interim results posting a profit of HK$470 million, up from a loss of HK$279 million YoY.

China and Macau are gearing up for what looks to be a much-needed resurgence of tourists, with flights and hotel bookings full up across the board.