Macao Tourism Development Master Plan to Enhance Tourist Numbers and Attract International Visitors

Strategic Insights -

As the second-phase review of the 'Macao Tourism Development Master Plan' unfolds, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is set to release new forecast figures and action plans aimed at stimulating tourism in Macao. With the summer vacation season underway, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes has emphasized the need for authorities to adjust projected tourist numbers, citing concerns about the impact of potential storms and other unforeseen factors. To drive growth, the MGTO is dedicated to continuing to attract international visitors, with a focus on leveraging Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport as a transit hub and exploring collaborations with airlines to implement 'one-stop, multi-destination' projects with neighboring regions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The MGTO will release new forecast figures and action plans for the 'Macao Tourism Development Master Plan' later this year, focusing on enhancing tourism in Macao.
  • Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes emphasized the need to balance optimism with caution in re-examining traveler data and introducing new attractions in travel itineraries.
  • The MGTO has experimented with various new projects during the Covid-19 pandemic and aims to launch several activities soon, including study tours and signing cooperation agreements with travel agencies.
  • The office has collected fresh ideas by soliciting study tour itineraries and is committed to providing more diverse itineraries for people to choose from in the future, whether for study tours or general tourism.
  • With summer vacation underway, the MGTO is focused on adjusting projected tourist numbers and monitoring trends to ensure a smooth and secure customs clearance process.
  • The MGTO has enhanced collaboration with immigration and border inspection agencies in mainland China and Hong Kong to facilitate international travel.
  • The office plans to host roadshows in Lisbon, Portugal, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Jakarta, Indonesia, in September and October to broaden its outreach and attract more international visitors.
  • To achieve this, MGTO will enhance its online presence through collaborations with influencers, culminating in a major event in October featuring global influencers.

Statistics:

  • The MGTO estimated that the overall number of visitors for this year would range between 38 million and 39 million, with actual figures for the first half of the year closely aligning with predictions.
  • The number of daily visitors this year has averaged about 106,000.
  • Mainland Chinese tourists account for 71.6% of inbound visitors, followed by visitors from Hong Kong at 19.1%.
  • Visitors from Taiwan and other international markets constituted 2.4% and 6.9%, respectively.
  • The Border Gate accounted for 41% of visitors, while the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Macau Port and Hengqin Port accounted for 24.1% and 13.5%, respectively.
  • Macau welcomed its 20 millionth inbound tourist 26 days earlier than in 2023, with an average of about 106,000 daily visitors this year.

Sources:

  • Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO)
  • Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of MGTO
  • Public Security Police (PSP)
  • Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport