Macau October Golden Week Attracts 1.14 Million Visitors

Macau witnessed an impressive influx of tourists during this year’s October Golden Week, with the total number of visitors reaching 1.14 million. This represents a 15.3% increase compared to the same period last year, according to data released by Macau’s Public Security Police. Last year’s Golden Week, which ran from October 1 to 7, saw the arrival of approximately 993,117 visitors. The increase in visitor numbers underscores the continued growing appeal of Macau as a prime destination during this festive time.

The October Golden Week is a significant holiday period for travelers, particularly those from mainland China, and plays a crucial role in Macau’s tourism and casino sectors. The 2024 holiday was extended to eight days, from October 1 to 8, aligning with China’s National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which fell on October 6 this year, creating an extended opportunity for travel.

Visitor Trends and Points of Entry

The daily average of visitors to Macau during this holiday was around 143,090, showing nearly a 1.0% increase from the previous year’s figures. The peak of these arrivals was recorded on October 4, when the city welcomed 191,176 tourists. However, numbers dipped to 113,051 the following day as Typhoon Matmo affected travel plans. Most of the visitors entered Macau through key checkpoints, with 506,325 arriving via the Border Gate, 209,575 through the Hengqin checkpoint, and 193,520 using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

Although the police did not provide detailed data about the origins of these visitors, supplementary information from the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) provides some insights. According to MGTO, during the first seven days of October, 879,650 visitors originated from mainland China, complemented by 111,124 arrivals from Hong Kong.

Impact on Macau's Economy and Casino Revenue Expectations

Prior to the Golden Week, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of MGTO, had anticipated around 1.2 million visitors for the eight-day span, estimating daily arrivals of 150,000. This projection aligns closely with the actual outcomes, reinforcing the holiday’s significance for Macau’s economy. The influx of visitors also boosted expectations for Macau’s casino industry. Brokerage firm CLSA Ltd predicted that the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for October would reflect a 9% year-on-year growth, reaching approximately MOP22.6 billion (around US$2.82 billion).

Observations in Macau during the onset of the holiday noted steady betting patterns and an increase in family travel compared to previous years. GGRAsia reported that popular bets in major casinos consisted of live-dealer baccarat tables with minimum stakes of HKD1,000, while in the Cotai area, bets reached up to HKD2,000, illustrating a robust gaming environment. The success of the October Golden Week not only highlights Macau's enduring appeal but also signals a positive trajectory for its tourism and gaming sectors, key pillars of the region's economy.

Source: Macau October Golden Week visitor tally at 1.14mln, up 15pct from a year ago, GGRAsia, October 9, 2025.

Posted by Wizard
Oct 14 2025