Macau is actively seeking to increase its number of international visitors by leveraging the strategic locations of two key airports in the neighboring Chinese province of Guangdong: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. This initiative was highlighted by the director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, who addressed local media during an event on Thursday.
Currently, the influx of international travelers arriving via air generally enter Macau through its primary air gateway, Macau International Airport, or through Hong Kong International Airport.
Exploring New Avenues for Regional Connectivity
In pursuit of enhancing connectivity and attracting more overseas visitors, MGTO is exploring opportunities to appeal to travelers interested in making multiple stops on their journey. Guangzhou's airport, a significant long-haul hub for China Southern Airlines, lies approximately 170 kilometers north of Macau, accessible with a roughly two-hour drive or a swift high-speed train ride to Zhuhai.
Shenzhen’s airport, which is about 66 kilometers northwest of Hong Kong, offers ferry services to Macau and is also reachable via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
Visitor Statistics and Influencing Factors
According to the city's Statistics and Census Service, Macau welcomed 234,150 international visitors in May, marking a 0.8 percent increase from the previous year. However, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes noted a slowing growth trend starting in May compared to earlier months, attributing it partly to high fuel costs and the commencement of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which shifted tourism demand elsewhere.
Despite these challenges, Macau saw a substantial 8.8 percent increase in international arrivals in the first five months of the current year, amounting to 1.24 million visitors. This figure represents 6.8 percent of the total 18.14 million visitors for the January to May period.
Source: Macau to tap neighbouring Guangdong airports as source for overseas visitors: tourism boss, GGRAsia, July 10, 2026.
Posted by Wizard
Jul 10 2026
Jul 10 2026
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