The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has announced that Law No. 8/2021 on the Operation of Hotel Establishments took effect on New Year’s Day.
The new law defines the scope of hotel operations and licensing procedures.
Moreover, the law’s definition of a hotel no longer includes guesthouses and tourism complexes and instead introduces the new category of budget hotels (officially termed “economical accommodation establishments”) the official requirements for their operations is simpler than those for fully-fledged hotels. The new category also allows the operation of shared rooms and bed rentals.
The statement underlined that catering establishments, restaurants, bars and nightclubs are no longer divided into different classes, adding that two new categories now only comprise “simple catering establishments” and “catering stalls at food courts”.
The new law forbids those under 18 from entering bars and nightclubs and stipulates that such “establishments must provide information on civil protection procedures to their patrons, along with other new requirements.
The statement noted that Administrative Regulation No. 44/2021 entitled “Enforcement Rules for the Law on the Operation of Hotel Establishments” also took effect on January 1, which has replaced Order No. 83/96/M. The new by-law regulates the licence application procedures for “hotel establishments, restaurants, simple catering establishments, catering stalls at food courts, bars and nightclubs”, the statement said.
The by-law contains six annexes that specify the “technical requirements” for the establishments and the minimum area required for kitchens and operating zones, with the new law and administrative regulation’s content available at https://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/cn/license/services.php?page_id=16440&relevant=16440.
The statement underlined that MGTO had organised “online introduction seminars” before the law and administrative regulation (by-law) came into effect to explain their main points, as well as to improve knowledge of them through promotional channels.
While laws need to be passed by the legislature, by-laws are merely enacted by the government.
This undated handout photo provided by the Macau Government Tourism Office shows members of the office holding an online seminar to explain the new law to industry operators.
