Macau's tourism sector is poised for a remarkable rebound as visitor arrivals are projected to reach between 38 and 39 million in 2025. This projection by Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), indicates a near-return to the peak tourism figures recorded in 2019, when the region saw 39.4 million visitors. The anticipated surge is attributed to several new policies, including the 'One Trip Per Week' and 'Multiple Entries' schemes. These initiatives have been particularly successful in attracting visitors from Zhuhai, Hengqin, and the Greater Bay Area, significantly boosting regional tourism engagements. To illustrate the success of these policies, over 66,000 multiple-entry visas were issued in Macau's neighboring cities within just the first two weeks of 2025. Additionally, Zhuhai residents have made 257,000 visits to Macau since January 1st, 2025, marking a 26.1 percent increase compared to the previous year, as reported by China's National Immigration Administration.
Projections and Expectations
The upcoming Chinese New Year Golden Week is set to enhance Macau's visitation figures further, with daily arrivals predicted to hit around 185,000, of which international visitors will represent approximately 8,000. This projection represents a notable improvement over earlier estimations, including those made by CLSA, an investment bank, which had forecasted 36.4 million visitors for 2025, equating to 92 percent of the 2019 figures. Comparing recent statistics, the Macau Security Police Force reported that in 2024, the region welcomed 34.9 million tourists. This figure, although preliminary and pending confirmation from MGTO, reflects a 24 percent annual growth. Based on CLSA's research, a growth trajectory of 4 percent is expected, projecting total visitors to rise to 36.4 million in 2025. Additionally, a further increase to 39.9 million visitors by 2026 is anticipated, potentially supported by a rebound in China's mainland property market, which could drive visitor numbers surpassing those of 2019.
Economic Impact and Future Forecast
The economic implications of this influx are apparent, though Macau's gross gaming revenue (GGR) per visitor has been relatively modest throughout 2024. CLSA projects slight growth for the upcoming year, with the GGR per capita visitor expected to reach MOP6,483 ($810) in 2025. The revenue growth is forecasted to experience a modest 1 percent increase in 2026, with projections estimating the GGR per visitor at MOP6,525 ($816). These figures highlight a gradual economic recovery aligned with increased tourism and consumer spending, painting an optimistic picture for Macau's future tourism prospects. The anticipated resurgence in visitor numbers indicates robust recovery and points towards a flourishing 2025 tourism scene that could uplift Macau back to its pre-pandemic prominence.
Source: Macau’s visitor arrivals expected to exceed 38M in 2025. Asia Gaming Brief, 17 January 2025.
Posted by Wizard
Jan 17 2025
Jan 17 2025
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