Car rental businesses upbeat as driving licence recognition takes … – Macau Business

Local car rental companies are forecasting a growth of 10 per cent to 20 per cent in the business, thanks to the recognition agreement of driving licenses with mainland China, which came into force on Tuesday.

We are optimistic about this market and believe it will grow more than before. With the mutual recognition of driving licenses between mainland China and Macau, there should be more tourists from the [Chinese] mainland renting cars, said Rain Lin, manager of Burgeon Car Rental Service, in an interview with Lusa.

Mainland Chinese driving license holders have been able to drive in Macau since Tuesday. On the other hand, permanent residents of Macau, including those of foreign nationality, will also be able to drive across the border.

The recognition of driving licenses can directly benefit people traveling and visiting family members, stated the Chinese Ministry of Public Security in a statement on Monday.

The car rental business with drivers typically accounts for 20% of our business, and we expect it to grow by around the same percentage, added Lin.

Vang Iek Rent-A-Car Service, founded in 1935, expects an increase of up to 10%. Not many tourists from the Chinese mainland will arrive in Macau to drive, admitted Alan Peng, the company manager, to Lusa.

Despite understanding that the recognition of driving licenses can increase the customer base, both Burgeon Car and Vang Iek admit that they have not received any reservations to date.

However, if demand grows significantly, Burgeon has admitted the possibility of importing left-hand drive vehicles, similar to the interior of China where driving is done on the right. In Macau, you drive on the left.

According to data provided by the Public Security Police to Lusa, so far 67 people from the interior of China have received permission to drive in the special administrative region.

The neighboring city of Zhuhai offers 280 daily quotas, which, according to the online newspaper Guan Hai Rong, are sold out until Friday.

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Car rental businesses upbeat as driving licence recognition takes ... - Macau Business