(ECNS) -- Macao plans to build theme parks and develop non-gambling entertainment venues to attract more visitors and extend the length of their stay.
The move has been suggested in the face of drops in room prices at local hotels and low occupancy rates, Sing Tao Daily reported.
Statistics from the Macau Government Tourist Office show the number of tourists from the Chinese mainland achieved a year-on-year growth of 20 percent in October and November, but suffered a one percent fall in December.
Hu Jingguang, the president of the Travel Industry Council of Macao, said the 24-hour customs clearance policy introduced in December led many mainland tourists to leave the city without staying overnight.
Hu added that the tourism industry in Macau depends on mainland residents to a very large extent as these account for nearly 90 percent of all visitors.
Macao tourism needs to lower its dependency on mainland tourists and it is necessary to build non-gambling entertainment venues, according to Hu.
