Macau Tourism Booms: January Visitor Numbers Soar

In January, Macau experienced a remarkable increase in visitor arrivals, with numbers reaching a significant 3.65 million, marking a 27.4% growth compared to the same period last year. The Statistics and Census Service released these figures, pointing to a substantial rise in same-day visitors as the main contributor to this surge. This growth showcases Macau's continued appeal to tourists, particularly those making quick visits.

Same-Day Visitors Lead Growth

A deeper analysis of these numbers reveals that the number of same-day travelers to Macau rose sharply by 45.6% year-on-year to nearly 2.16 million. These visitors constituted almost 60% of the total visitors for the month, highlighting a trend towards brief yet frequent visits to the region. On the other hand, the overnight stays saw a modest increase of 7.9% year-on-year, bringing that number to 1.49 million individuals. The duration of their stay averaged 2.2 days, consistent with the duration a year prior.

Impact of New Visa Policies and International Visitors

A significant 75.4% of all visitors in January were from mainland China, translating to 2.75 million people. Notably, 1.61 million of these arrivals were facilitated through Individual Visit Scheme visas, which marked a 44% increase. This rise was partially due to the newly implemented exit visas by mainland authorities for Zhuhai residents. These included a 'one-trip-per-week' visa allowing residents to stay up to seven days, resulting in 111,698 trips in January.

Additionally, Hengqin residents now have access to multiple-entry visas leading to 25,933 visits. These measures collectively added 137,631 visitors, representing 8.6% of mainland travelers using IVS visas in January. Furthermore, Macau welcomed 241,131 visitors from international markets, a 21% rise compared to the previous year. South Korea, the Philippines, and Indonesia were the leading contributors to these international arrivals, with 65,659, 48,499, and 21,579 visitors, respectively. These trends underscore Macau's growing global appeal and the effectiveness of its tourism strategies.

Source: Macau January visitor arrivals 3.65mln, up 27pct y-o-y and led by surge in day trippers, GGRAsia, February 20, 2025.

Posted by Wizard
Feb 01 2025