The Travel Industry Council says Christmas is a popular time to escape Macao, with bookings on the rise for Japan, South Korea and Thailand over the festive season.
Macao tourism
The ambitious target has been laid out in Macao’s latest five-year plan, but could prove challenging given gaming’s enormous contribution to the economy
Weaning Macao off the mainland gaming market will cost money. The government has suggested a figure of 235 million patacas.
Down more than 10 percentage points month to month, Macao’s hotel occupancy rate for September was back where it was near the start of the year.
The post-summer slump is evident. Recent holiday tallies suggest the month of October will be better, however.
Macao’s better than expected tourism recovery has led to predictions of a major rebound in the economy this year.
Visitors from Macao’s near neighbour have almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, says Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes.
The city’s distinctive yellow and green rickshaws were once one of its main means of transport. Veteran drivers say more could be done to secure the rickshaws’ survival.
The territory saw its highest daily visitor arrival total since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic, with mainland Chinese visitors in the overwhelming majority.
