Macau is Also Struggling for Business

Small Macanese businesses struggling post pandemic

It looks like Hong Kong isn't the only one moaning about people escaping on the weekends to go across the border to Shenzhen -- Macau is too.

Casinos are still drawing visitors willing to part with their money, but when it comes to food, there are no more freebies, like gold-flecked abalone tarts and pork chop buns washed down with bubble tea.

No more free egg tarts in casinos

Visitors followed the advice of social media posts that told them where to get free transportation from hotel shuttles, free food from casinos, from ice cream to egg tarts, popcorn and pineapple buns, and souvenir streets for food samples like beef jerky and almond cookies, and free entertainment in hotels, like animated water fountains, and radio-controlled dolphins made of helium balloons floating around.

Nearby restaurants complained they had no customers because the casinos were giving away free food so the latter obliged and stopped the practice. But even then the restaurants don't have any business because even office workers drive across the border for lunch.

"We had a period just after the pandemic when things seemed like they were improving, but as soon as borders reopened with the mainland and people were allowed to drive north again... it has been very difficult for proper restaurants like us to survive," said Moon Tong Ut-i, manager of Riquexo, a Macanese restaurant that has opened for more than 30 years.

Another cafe that opened after the pandemic and serves Southeast Asian noodles and snacks is also struggling. 

People go across the border to eat cheaper food

"We all assumed life would return to normal after the pandemic, so I thought I would give it a try. Who would've thought everyone would leave?" said owner and businessman Justin Chang.

Looks like for both Hong Kong and Macau it's going to get worse before it gets better...