Tourist arrival figures over the past several years indicate that the gap between Macao and Hong Kong is narrowing fast.
Macao visitors
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.
Just over half of passengers flew in or out of the mainland, and more than a third used Southeast Asian routes.
Shopkeepers say there isn’t enough tourist traffic outside of the main sightseeing areas and add that visitors are spending less money than they hoped.
Per-capita spending by visitors is showing a steep decline from the first quarter of the year to the second, as tourists tighten their belts.
Even with the borders shut last year, the MGTO claims to be well on track with its ambitious tourism agenda.
