As the National Day Golden Week approaches in October, hotel operators in Macau are preparing for a significant increase in occupancy rates and visitor arrivals. This seven-day holiday period, which runs from October 1 to October 7, is expected to draw a large number of tourists, especially from mainland China, bolstered by recent favorable tourism policies.
Current Booking Trends
As of September 24, 2024, online hotel booking platforms such as Agoda and Booking.com indicate that many of Macau’s hotels, particularly those located within integrated resorts, are already fully booked for key dates during the holiday period. Notable properties like Grand Lisboa, MGM Cotai, MGM Macau, Galaxy Macau, StarWorld, JW Marriott Hotel, Hotel Okura, and Sheraton Macau are completely booked from October 1 to 2. This suggests a robust demand for luxury accommodations during this peak travel season.
Availability Snapshot
While many four- and five-star hotels are seeing limited availability, properties like The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Wynn Macau, and Wynn Palace still offer deluxe king suites, with standard king rooms already sold out. In contrast, 2-star and 3-star hotels have a more abundant supply of rooms, indicating a varied market catering to different tourist segments.
Price Adjustments
The current pricing for rooms on October 1 ranges from MOP$1,900 to MOP$3,500 (approximately US$237 to US$437). These rates represent a notable increase of 20% to 30% compared to weekday prices, reflecting the high demand for accommodations during this peak holiday season. Pricing variability depends heavily on the type of room selected, highlighting the competitive nature of the hotel industry in Macau.
Expectations from Industry Experts
Robin Yu, Vice President of the Macau Tourism and Hospitality Association, expressed optimism regarding the hotel occupancy rates for this year’s Golden Week. Yu indicated that the current booking rate stands at around 50%, suggesting potential growth as the holiday approaches. Historical trends suggest that mainland travelers tend to delay their hotel bookings until closer to the holiday.
Yu further explained that the recovery of the Macau tourism market is significantly influenced by domestic travelers, particularly from mainland China. Although the overall market has seen a revival compared to the previous year, it has not yet fully returned to 2019 levels, primarily due to a lack of overseas visitors.
Visitor Statistics and Trends
In August 2024, Macau recorded over 3.65 million visitor arrivals, exceeding pre-COVID figures for the first time. This upward trend in tourism provides a solid foundation for expectations during the National Day Golden Week. Wu Keng Kuong, President of the Travel Industry Council of Macau, voiced hope that this year’s visitor numbers could set new records, driven by increased interest from mainland tourists and government promotional efforts during the pandemic.
A Shift in Market Dynamics
The Macau tourism landscape has undergone substantial changes since the summer holidays of last year. The reliance on the mainland market has increased, especially as overseas markets have yet to recover. The steady increase in mainland visitors has led to expectations that the total number of tourists during the Golden Week will surpass that of 2023.
The upcoming National Day Golden Week appears poised to deliver robust results for Macau’s hospitality sector. The early signs of full bookings at many high-end hotels and the optimistic projections for visitor arrivals suggest a strong rebound in Macau’s tourism industry. As the holiday approaches, it will be critical to monitor the actual occupancy rates and visitor statistics, as these figures will provide a clearer picture of the recovery trajectory for the region.