Macau Prepares for Massive Influx of Visitors During New Year

As the Lunar New Year approaches, Macau is bracing for an influx of visitors, with expectations of between 5.04 to 5.36 million border crossings from January 28th to February 4th. This projection marks a considerable increase from the previous year, reflecting a growth of at least 3% compared to 2024, according to the Macau Public Security Police Force, responsible for immigration services examinations. An average of 630,000 to 670,000 individuals are anticipated to either enter or exit daily, with the heaviest traffic likely occurring on the fourth and fifth days of the new year.

In a recent press conference, Lam Tong Hou, the Public Relations Director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), outlined the city’s preparations for the festive season. He emphasized the role of coordinated efforts by government agencies, tourism industry stakeholders, and local associations in organizing various celebrations aimed at enhancing Macau’s allure as a holiday destination. These planned events are expected to not only increase visitor influx but also boost hotel occupancy within the city.

Hotel Bookings and Rates During the Festive Period

In anticipation of the holiday rush, hotel bookings in Macau have surged, with occupancy rates reported to be nearing 80% as of mid-January. As the celebrations near, these numbers are expected to climb further. Remarkably, a recent survey conducted by Morgan Stanley highlights that hotel rates during the Chinese New Year are projected to be significantly lower than in the previous year’s holiday season.

Specifically, average daily rates are estimated to be 15-40% cheaper than in 2024 and 10-30% less expensive compared to the rates during October’s Golden Week. These lower rates are predicted to attract more tourists, making the stay a more affordable choice for many. Consequently, it is anticipated that this pricing strategy will catalyze an uptick in room reservations, underpinning the strategic planning of hotels to capitalize on the expected visitor boom during the celebratory weeks.

Impact of New Visa Regulations on Visitor Numbers

An important development contributing to the expected rise in visitor numbers to Macau is the implementation of new visa policies for residents of neighboring regions. Lei Tai Fai, spokesperson for the Macau Public Security Police Force, highlighted the success of these new visa arrangements, revealing that, from January 1st to the 21st, over 91,000 tourists visited using the revised visa process. The policy comprises both a multiple-entry visa, accounting for over 18,000 entrants, and a one-entry-per-week framework that facilitated visits for more than 73,000 individuals in that period, averaging out to about 4,400 additional visitors daily. Furthermore, the expansion of visa facilitation has been met with enthusiasm, resulting in more than 66,000 multiple-entry visas issued for residents of Zhuhai and Hengqin within just the first two weeks. According to China's National Immigration Administration, Zhuhai residents alone embarked on 257,000 trips to Macau since the start of the New Year, marking a year-on-year ascent of 26.1% within the initial phase of the policy rollout.

Source: Macau expecting to see over 5m border crossings during Chinese New Year, Asia Gaming Brief, January 22, 2025. 

Posted by Wizard
Jan 23 2025