Macau, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and bustling tourism industry, experienced a significant surge in visitor arrivals during February, primarily attributed to the Lunar New Year festivities.
Overall Visitor Arrivals Surge:
In February, Macau welcomed a staggering 3,293,564 visitors, marking a remarkable 110% year-on-year growth and a notable 15.1% increase compared to January. Furthermore, this surge propelled visitor numbers to an impressive 92.9% recovery when compared to the same month in 2019.
Dominance of Mainland Chinese Visitors:
Mainland China emerged as the primary contributor to Macau’s visitor influx, with arrivals surging by 140% year-on-year to reach 2,449,243. This influx constituted a substantial portion, accounting for 95.7% of the visitor levels seen in 2019.
Growth in Regional Visitors:
Visitor arrivals from Hong Kong and Taiwan also exhibited substantial growth, with increases of 16.3% and 170% respectively. While arrivals from Hong Kong reached 608,739, those from Taiwan totaled 59,390, representing 92.5% and 71.9% of 2019 levels respectively.
International Visitor Rebound:
International arrivals, though still on the path to recovery, showcased promising signs, reaching 176,192 visitors in February, equivalent to 71.6% of the figures recorded in 2019.
Key International Visitor Sources:
South Korea emerged as the largest foreign visitor source in February, contributing 41,844 arrivals. The Philippines followed closely, with 39,837 visitors, marking a notable 26.2% increase from February 2019. Other notable contributors included Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, all of which demonstrated substantial recovery to approximately 90% or more of pre-COVID levels.
Modes of Entry:
The influx of visitors was facilitated through various entry channels. Land-based entry recorded a significant surge, with 2,617,632 visitors entering Macau via this mode, reflecting a 100% year-on-year increase. Notably, the Border Gate, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, and the Hengqin Port served as primary gateways.
Increase in Sea and Air Arrivals:
Visitor arrivals by sea and air also witnessed notable growth, with a 110% and 120% year-on-year increase respectively. These figures underscore the diversified modes through which tourists accessed Macau during this period.
Cumulative Growth for the First Two Months:
Cumulatively, the first two months of 2024 witnessed a remarkable expansion in visitor arrivals, amounting to 6,155,173 visitors. This growth, representing a 106% year-on-year increase, signifies a promising trajectory for Macau’s tourism sector.
The surge in visitor arrivals during February, fueled by the Lunar New Year celebrations, reflects a robust revival of Macau’s tourism sector. With mainland China dominating the influx and international sources gradually rebounding, coupled with diverse modes of entry, Macau is poised for continued growth and revitalization in the post-pandemic era.