Macau’s visitor arrival growth slowed in May and June as mainland China’s examination season, fuel price volatility and the FIFA World Cup combined to dampen travel demand, according to the city’s tourism chief.
Macau recorded 20.94 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, up 9.0 percent year-on-year, according to police data. However, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said inbound traffic showed signs of easing in May and June compared with the first four months of the year.
She attributed the slowdown to several overlapping factors. May and June coincide with the examination season in mainland China, which typically reduces residents’ willingness and frequency of travel. Fuel price fluctuations and the World Cup, which began in mid-June, also weighed on outbound travel.
With this year’s tournament being held in North and Central America, some travelers chose to attend matches there instead of visiting other destinations, Senna Fernandes noted.
The broader impact of the tournament was already reflected in Macau’s gaming performance. Gross gaming revenue fell 12.1 percent year-on-year to MOP18.52 billion ($2.29 billion) in June, down 18.1 percent from May, after analysts warned that the expanded 104-match format could weigh more heavily on demand than previous tournaments.
Looking ahead to the traditional July-August summer peak, Senna Fernandes said MGTO would strengthen promotions in key source markets, including South Korea, the Philippines and Thailand. A new Air Macau route to the Philippines is also expected to support international arrivals.
The bureau is exploring cooperation with Guangzhou Baiyun and Shenzhen Bao’an airports to develop multi-destination, ‘one trip, multiple stops’ itineraries. It is also in talks with major payment platforms to offer visitor discounts and encourage spending in Macau.
