Macau enticing HK residents with free ferry, bus tickets

Stacy Shi

Hong Kong residents can enjoy "buy one, get one" bus or ferry tickets to Macau - but they have to spend at least one night there - as the gaming hub lures visitors to spend more cash and stay longer.

Macau's tourism office said the offer will start on Friday and last until the end of March.

Those who purchase a ticket via TurboJET, Cotai Water Jet and the Hong Kong-Macau Express will be offered a complimentary return ticket.

The promotion aims to stimulate Macau's tourism industry and economic growth, attract Hongkongers to the city and encourage a longer stay, the office said.

A maximum of four sets of ferry tickets can be booked with a valid Hong Kong ID card at the operators' offices in Sheung Wan on a first-come, first-served basis while tickets last. Participants are entitled to the offer once.

Tourists must select their return ticket within seven days from the day following the departure date.

More transport operators will also be offering the same promotion in due course, the office said.

A Hong Kong resident said she will consider planning a trip of two to three days if hotels also offer discounts.

The office believes that the promotional campaign and upcoming launch of special offers, as well as the advent of mega events for Lunar New Year in Macau "will ignite Hong Kong residents' intention to travel to - and spend money in - Macau for a memorable vacation."

Some 5,630 Hongkongers went to Macau on Sunday - nearly thrice the number of last year's daily average - when the hub scrapped a requirement for visitors to obtain a negative Covid test result before arrival.

TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet resumed services on the same day as some 1,700 people left Hong Kong on a ferry to Macau by 4pm on Sunday, according to the Immigration Department.

TurboJET currently manages 16 ferry trips between Sheung Wan and Taipa from 7.30am to 5.30pm daily, while Cotai Water Jet operates six. The Hong Kong-Macau Express offers eight bus routes between Prince Edward and several casinos in Macau Peninsula and Cotai.

Additionally, 68 Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus trips ply between the two SARs daily.

The 24-hour border crossing has resumed at the port of the bridge.

The East Car Park of the Frontier Post at Macao Port has also restarted operation, with free parking offers for the convenience of Hong Kong visitors driving to Macau.

stacy.shi@singtaponewscorp.com