Tourism authorities are “quite confident” the city’s hotel occupancy rate will exceed 90 percent during the upcoming Macau Grand Prix, according to multiple media reports.
The director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, made the remarks at a traditional Taoist blessing ceremony for the 70th iteration of the city’s iconic motor-racing competition.
She added that her office had embarked on a rigorous promotional campaign in collaboration with airlines – including Cathay Pacific – to attract overseas tourists to the Grand Prix, which also coincides with several MICE events,
[See more: Stay on track: These are the hotels with a view of the Macau Grand Prix]
A 90 percent figure seems achievable: hotel occupancy rates were 88.7 percent in August, down from a post-pandemic high of 92 percent in July.
The Macau Grand Prix will be held across two successive weekends: 11-12 and 16-19 November. Tickets for the second weekend have nearly sold out.
On Monday, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Ao Ieong U said this year’s Grand Prix had a budget of about 260 million patacas. The SAR’s six concessionaires are contributing a combined 120 million patacas to the event, according to a gaming industry media report.