Beware of illegal Macau guesthouses

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos were advised against staying in illegal guesthouses in Macau following the passage of a law prohibiting such accommodations to prevent criminal activity and ensure observance of safety and health standards.

The Philippine Consulate General in Macau warned Filipino travelers after the Legislative Assembly of Macau passed the law last Jan. 7.

Administrative and criminal sanctions can be imposed on offenders such as hefty fines, from $25,000 to $ 100,000, on persons who operate illegal inns, and prison terms from two to eight years for those who accommodate or are responsible for illegal residents.

“In light of this recent law, travelers are advised to verify their accommodation arrangements beforehand and to ensure that they will be staying in authorized hotels, guesthouses or inns,” said Philippine Consul General to Macau Jaime Victor Ledda.

Ledda urged tourists to Macau or to any destination to check that their passports are valid for more than six months and that they possess a valid visa where necessary.

He said Filipino travelers must also have a return ticket and not just a booking to the Philippines within the allowed period of stay, as well as sufficient funds for accommodation and daily expenses for the duration of the trip.

Those claiming to have employment in their place of destination are strongly advised to have their work documents verified and validated by the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) before they leave the Philippines.

If the traveler is unable to present proof of POEA-processed employment documents, hotel bookings or roundtrip tickets, he or she should secure an affidavit of support from relatives, friends or sponsoring entities duly notarized at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General.

The Macau government has been campaigning against illegal guesthouses for some time already.

It cautions travelers against staying at illegal inns because they face greater risks of injury and disease, since these places are unlikely to be properly constructed and are probably crowded and unhygienic.

Travelers may also be vulnerable to property loss and even arrest, in view of inadequate security measures and also since these inns are usually associated with unlawful activities such as drug and human trafficking.