MGTO’s roadshows enjoy popularity overseas (stock photo)
Provisional figures of the Public Security Police Force show that visitor arrivals to Macao topped 88.84 million in the first quarter of 2024, which comprises 6.30 million Mainland visitors, 1.818 million and 182,000 visitors from Hong Kong and Taiwan region, as well as 585,000 international visitors. The total volume of visitors surged by 79.6% compared with the first quarter of 2023, while average daily visitor arrivals rebounded to 84.8% of the level in the first quarter of 2019. According to the Statistics and Census Service, the average occupancy rate of local hotels between January and February reached 85.8%. The statistics indicate a continuous upward trend of tourism and visitor arrivals.
Average daily visitor arrivals reach 98,000 in the first quarter
84.8% recovery to the level in the first quarter of 2019
According to the provisional figures of the Public Security Police Force, Macao registered about 88.84 million visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2024. Average daily visitor arrivals neared 98,000 (97,637), which was up by 79.6% compared with the first quarter of 2023 and reached 84.8% of the level in the first quarter of 2019. On the third day of Chinese New Year (12 February), total visitor arrivals neared 220,000, setting the second new high since single-day figures were recorded.
Qingdao and Xi’an contribute to increase in Mainland visitor arrivals
Provisional figures of the Public Security Police Force mirror a considerable increase in Mainland visitor arrivals in the first quarter. In the first three months of 2024, the cumulative volume of Mainland visitors reached 6.30 million. The average daily volume of Mainland visitors exceeded 69,000 (69,239), a year-on-year rise of 94.6% compared with the first quarter of 2023 and a recovery of 83.7% to the level in the first quarter of 2019.
In addition to the above, the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) was put into force on 6 March 2024 for Xi’an and Qingdao residents traveling to Hong Kong and Macao. Revealed by the provisional figures of the Public Security Police Force, Macao recorded 47,000 and 24,000 visitor arrivals from Xi’an and Qingdao between January and March 2024, a rise of 6.4% and 44.5% compared with the first quarter of 2019, as well as a year-on-year increase of 2.1 fold and 1.6 fold from the first quarter of 2023. Last year, MGTO organized the mega roadshow “Macao Week in Shandong•Qingdao”. Leveraging the opportunities brought by the preferential measure for Macao, MGTO invited a delegation of media from Qingdao to Macao and organized a plaza roadshow in Qingdao this April. Plans are underway to organize a Macao Week event in Xi’an in the latter half of this year, to further energize Xi’an and Qingdao residents’ intent to travel to Macao.
Surge in international visitor arrivals suggest growing market diversification
International visitor markets are similarly on track to significant recovery. Based upon the foundation of steady increase in visitor arrivals from various markets, MGTO carries out vigorous measures to diversify visitor markets this year. Provisional figures of the Public Security Police Force revealed that there were over 580,000 international visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 and an average daily volume of about 6,400 (6,424) international visitors, which was up over threefold compared to the first quarter of 2023 and reached 67.5% of the level in the first quarter of 2019. The figures suggest growing diversification of visitor markets.
As indicated by the provisional figures of the Public Security Police Force, among the top ten visitor markets for Macao from January to March 2024, international visitor arrivals were mainly from Southeast Asia markets including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and India, Korea and Japan of Northeast Asia, as well as the United States and Canada as the long-haul markets.
Hotel occupancy rate reaches 85%
In terms of hotel accommodation, according to the Statistics and Census Service, there is a total supply of 46,481 hotel rooms in Macao up to the end of February. The average occupancy rate of local hotels reached 85.8% in January and February. The daily average of hotel overnight guests exceeded 42,000 (42,505), which exceeded the corresponding figure in the first two months of 2019 with an increase of 8.8%.
Macao’s diverse offerings of “tourism +” experiences can enhance the destination appeal for visitors from various markets and segments. MGTO is actively tapping into the potential of different visitor markets around the world to widen the source of visitors. While endeavoring to optimize tourism products and services, MGTO is conducting the Macao Courtesy Campaign to promote warm hospitality for visitors among residents and members of the trade. In line with the SAR Government’s “1 + 4” development strategy for adequate economic diversification, the Office is dedicated to steering the integrated tourism and leisure industry forward, maximizing the synergy of “tourism +” for market diversification.
