LAST WORD 58
Sharon Singleton
Managing Editor, AGB
Travel industry needs vaccine relief Six months into the year and there’s still no visibility as to when international travel may be able to resume in Asia, with the situation in many countries having deteriorated significantly.
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s countries in the Western world gradually itself off to the outside world and its citizens feel little get back to normal life thanks to fast-tracked need to get protected as they have been Covid-free for mass vaccination programs, rollout in the better part of a year. That’s all very well, but the borders can’t remain Asia and other developing countries has closed forever. It’s also a huge setback for the government’s been shockingly slow. According to the World Health Organisation, efforts to diversify its tourism industry, creating 100 high and upper-middle-income countries represent percent reliance on Mainland China as they’re the 53 percent of the world’s population but have received only ones allowed in...and at a drip-feed pace at that. There is also a very real risk that sooner or later 83 percent of the world’s vaccines. By contrast, low and middle-income countries account for 47 percent Macau will let one past the goalie and will find itself of the population, but have received just 17 percent in the unenviable position of its neighbours. As of mid-May, Macau had vaccinated about 87,731 of the vaccines. This has left countries across the Asian region battling people with at least one dose of a vaccine. It’s not an renewed spikes in the virus, forcing further lockdowns impressive number given it only has a population of about 640,445. and creating more damage to their The casinos are doing their already Covid-battered economies. part to encourage vaccination Countries that handled the efforts. MGM China and Sands first wave of the crisis well, are The casinos China are hosting community also now struggling. Cambodia outreach vaccination services for example didn’t record a single are doing their from late May in conjunction with Covid death last year, but has part to encourage Macau’s health authorities. been fighting to get the situation Melco Resorts & Entertainment under control since February when vaccination has made immunity one of its key two Chinese women bribed their efforts. goals and is putting its money where way out of quarantine and went its mouth is. The operator is putting out partying across the capital up MOP16 million ($2 million) Phnom Penh. for its “Get the Jab” campaign to Cases are also raging in neighbouring Thailand, with the region’s porous encourage its employees to get vaccinated. Likewise, Wynn Macau is offering incentives to borders being blamed for the spread of the disease. Vaccine programs are starting, but too slowly to hold its employees, giving two days off to get the shots. China’s vaccine program was also limping along out much prospect for a return to international travel with its citizens feeling no real urgency to get protection any time soon. Needless to say, this doesn’t bode well for the until a new outbreak triggered a rush to get vaccinated. The country is now administering an eye-watering 15 land-based casino industry. A highly anticipated travel bubble between Hong million doses a day and experts say that could be stepped Kong and Singapore has been delayed a second time up to 20 million. According to World in Data statistics as after a new surge in the latter city, while Taiwan, another of the time of writing 450 million shots had been given. Analysts are expecting Macau’s gross gambling revenue country praised for its handling of the pandemic and seen as a potential bubble candidate, is also seeing to pick up from the second half and although the city’s vaccination program is still lagging, China’s example record numbers of cases. Even in places where vaccines are available the lends hope to the idea that travel will become easier. The rest of Asia may have a longer wait. rollout has been slow. Macau for example has closed
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Asia Gaming Briefings | June 2021
