In November 2023, Macau’s hotel industry showcased remarkable resilience and growth, with a hotel occupancy rate reaching 82.3%. This marked a substantial 43.7 percentage points increase compared to the same month in 2022. Analyzing the data provided by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), it is evident that the surge in occupancy was driven by a significant rise in the number of hotel establishments, attracting a diverse range of guests.
Occupancy Rates Surge Across Hotel Categories:
The statistics reveal a compelling story of growth across different hotel categories. Notably, 5-star hotel rooms experienced a robust 47.2% year-on-year increase, reaching an impressive 82.7% occupancy rate. In contrast, 2-star hotel rooms also saw a substantial surge, climbing by 37.6 percentage points to an impressive 88.9% occupancy rate.
Expansion of Hotel Establishments:
The increase in occupancy rates was complemented by a rise in the total number of hotel establishments citywide. Comparing the current data to the previous year, Macau witnessed a commendable addition of 22 hotel establishments, bringing the total to 141. This expansion undoubtedly played a pivotal role in accommodating the growing influx of visitors.
Surging Number of Guests:
November 2023 witnessed an extraordinary surge in the number of guests staying in Macau’s hotels, soaring by an astonishing 194.5% year-on-year. The total number of guests reached an impressive 1,202,000, with mainland China contributing significantly with 882,000 guests. Hong Kong and Taiwan also played their part, contributing 154,000 and 27,000 guests, respectively. Despite this surge, the average length of stay experienced a marginal decrease of 0.1 nights, settling at 1.6 nights.
Overall Growth in 2023:
Expanding our perspective to the broader context, the cumulative data for the first 11 months of 2023 paints a picture of consistent growth. The average occupancy rate of guest rooms across hotel establishments witnessed a substantial 43.0 percentage points year-on-year increase, reaching an impressive 81.0%. Concurrently, the number of guests experienced an extraordinary surge of 162.9%, totaling a staggering 12,245,000.
Package Tours Influence Visitor Numbers:
November alone saw 206,000 visitors arriving on package tours, contributing significantly to the month’s tourism statistics. This brought the total for the first 11 months of 2023 to 1,120,000 visitors. The role of package tours in influencing the overall visitor numbers is an intriguing aspect worth exploring.
The tourism landscape in Macau for November 2023 reflects not only resilience but also robust growth. The surge in hotel occupancy rates, expansion of hotel establishments, and the remarkable increase in the number of guests signify a positive trajectory for the region’s hospitality industry. As Macau continues to position itself as a premier tourist destination, understanding the dynamics of these statistics provides valuable insights for stakeholders and enthusiasts alike.