On January 31st, 2025, the third day of the Chinese New Year, Macau reached a post-pandemic tourism milestone, with 219,000 inbound tourists, surpassing the previous record of 217,000 set on the same day in 2024.
This marks the highest single-day entry since the pandemic.
The Border Gate, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Macau Port, and Hengqin Port ranked as the top three entry points, handling over 80 percent of inbound visitors.
According to official data, mainland Chinese visitors made up the largest group, at 76.2 percent, followed by visitors from Hong Kong at 18.1 percent, Taiwan at 1.3 percent, and international tourists at 4.4 percent.
To manage the crowds near the Ruins of St. Paul, the Macau Public Security Police implemented crowd control measures between 2:15pm and 5pm on that day, ensuring smooth movement with strong cooperation from both residents and visitors.
A fireworks display on January 31st likely contributed to the increased visitor numbers.
On February 1st, the fourth day of the Chinese New Year, inbound and outbound traffic remained high, with around 736,000 crossings recorded. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Macau Port alone saw 142,000 crossings, setting a new record.
The day also saw 218,000 inbound tourists, marking the third-highest single-day entry.
In an official statement, the Macau Public Security Police noted that new visa policies for Macau’s neighboring cities and a range of festive activities contributed to the surge in passenger traffic at Macau’s ports.
The new visa policies, introduced this year, include the “one trip per week” and “multiple entry” schemes for residents of Zhuhai and Hengqin. These policies are seen as a key driver for the near-term growth in visitor arrivals.
Previously, these residents were restricted to visiting Macau only once every two months under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS). The new policies now allow them to visit more frequently, enhancing cross-border mobility.