A new multi-entry visa for Chinese nationals on package tours is set to be implemented for travel between Macau and neighboring Hengqin on May 6th, allowing more fluid tourism passage between the regions.

Group tour operators are bound to be rejoicing over the recent news that Macau and Hengqin are set to establish a multi-entry visa policy between the territories. According to insiders, the scheme could cause a loss to Macau hotel operations, with cheaper options right across the border.

The Chinese government is considering the creation of a new visa type intended for Chinese tour groups, allowing multi-entry between Macau and Hengqin during a specified period.

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 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.

China plans to relax several visa-issuing policies for entering the country, including visas on arrival for foreign businesspeople.

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. 

The Government had stepped up effort to attract more tourists to visit Macau, in order to support local economic recovery, the CE Ho Iat Seng, told local legislators during a state of play address to the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.