Sands China President Wilfred Wong Ying-wai told reporters yesterday that since Zhuhai lifted its 14-day mandatory quarantine on arrivals from Macau last Tuesday, the number of visitors has been increasing steadily, adding that he was “hopeful” about the number of visitors during Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Wong made the remarks at a launch event for the Bank of China Sands Lifestyle UnionPay credit card at Four Seasons Hotel Macao in Cotai.
Wong pointed out even though there will be no foreign racers competing in next month’s Grand Prix, there are still mainland racers that could attract tourists. He said that Sands’ hotels have been receiving enquiries about booking rooms.
When asked whether he knew when the COVID-19 prevention and control measures will be relaxed between the mainland and Macau, Wong said that he did not have any intel about it but he urged residents to get inoculated as soon as possible as well as getting the “booster shot” promptly which could help the tourism industry.
Meanwhile, on the topic of the city’s expiring gaming concessions, Wong said that the government should monitor the city’s gaming industry in order to help the sector develop healthily. He pointed out that his company is consulting public opinion for a report that it is preparing and which will be handed in to the government in due course.
Bank chief says loan repayment situation is ‘normal’
Moreover, Macau Association of Banks Chairman Ip Sio Kai pointed out that last year 50 percent of local small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which applied for the government’s various support plans chose to apply for loan interest subsidy. He said that since the COVID-19 pandemic started last year, the loan repayment situation has been “normal”, adding that not a lot of applicants have delayed their repayment period. However, he underlined that if the COVID-19 pandemic situation continues, it would be inevitable that some businesses would need to delay the repayment of a loan or experience financial risk.
Ip, a member of the Macau Legislative Assembly (AL), also pointed ouot that the government has launched the “pay interest not the loan” support measure, which he described as a “suitable” scheme for most of the SMEs.
When asked about business associations voicing their concerns about waves of SME closures, Ip said that the situation was mainly due to the SMEs’ lack of confidence in operating their businesses. He underlined that as the COVID-19 pandemic situation has stabilised, the number of visitors would increase, and along with the government’s support measures, the business sector would soon regain its confidence.
BOC Sands Lifestyle UnionPay credit card
According to a Sands China statement provided during yesterday’s event, the company is partnering with Bank of China Macau Branch and UnionPay International Ltd. to launch the BOC Sands Lifestyle UnionPay credit card, which targets Macau residents. The statement said that the BOC Sands Lifestyle UnionPay card offers cardholders an array of exclusive benefits and privileges all year round at Sands Resorts Macao’s integrated resorts including hotel accommodation, dining, shopping, leisure, and entertainment.
The statement said that the cardholders also have the opportunity to earn up to triple bonus points when they pay with the card at Sands Lifestyle participating retailers. The statement underlined that the aim of launching the card is to support the recovery of the tourism industry in Macau, helping to further build it as a diversified world centre of tourism and leisure.
The statement noted that the BOC Sands Lifestyle UnionPay credit card is offered in two tiers – Diamond UnionPay and Black Diamond UnionPay, pointing out that the design of the card incorporates iconic elements of Sands Resorts Macao, showcasing the charm of ‘Little Europe’: British-themed The Londoner Macao, French-style The Parisian Macao and The Venetian Macao, influenced by Italy’s ‘City of Water’.
Sands China Ltd President Wilfred Wong Ying-wai speaks with reporters after the launch event of the BOC Sands Lifestyle UnionPay Credit Card yesterday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Cotai. Photo: Rui Pastorin
