Macau has set a goal to welcome 33 million visitors in 2024. If realized, this would represent a nearly 17 percent increase from 2023.
From January to the present, Macau has received a daily average of approximately 70,000 to 80,000 visitors, with weekends witnessing a surge to over 100,000 visitors.
Helena de Senna Fernandes, Head of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), expressed optimism, anticipating an even more substantial influx of visitors during Chinese New Year Golden Week (February 10th-17th), with a projected daily average of 120,000 visitors.
After welcoming nearly 40 million visitors in 2019, Davis Fong, the Director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming and a professor at the University of Macau, told AGB in a previous interview that Macau could reach at least 80 percent of these visitor levels, or 32 million visitors, in 2024. A more optimistic scenario, with a 90 percent recovery, could see a significant uptick to 36 million visitor arrivals.
Scholar’s projections align with authorities’ expectations.
However, uncertainties still linger on the horizon for 2024. International air travel, integral to Macau’s tourism, remains constrained, impacting not only visitors using the Macau International Airport but also those utilizing the Hong Kong International Airport and nearby airports.
Weeks ago, MGTO revealed its expectation to welcome 3 million international tourists, with the goal representing a return to 2019 levels. To achieve this target, the Macau government has allocated a budget of MOP235 million ($29.2 million) for expanding Macau’s international visitor market this year (2024). Meanwhile, an amount of MOP100 million ($12.4 million) has been set aside to about to subsidize 100,000 international air tickets by local authorities.
Currently, the MGTO is collaborating with Macau’s flagship carrier, Air Macau, to release those low-price tickets. According to Senna Fernandes, this initiative covers all international destinations serviced by Macau Airlines, excluding mainland China and Taiwan, and offers varying degrees of discounts.
CNY campaign
MGTO announced the details of its Chinese New Year campaign on Thursday. According to reports, the anticipated expenditure for the Chinese New Year impetus, highlighting key events such as a float parade, a golden dragon parade, and a fireworks display, is estimated to fall within the range of MOP37 million to MOP38 million ($4.73 million).
This year, Chinese New Year Golden Week is from February 10th to 17th, and there will be three fireworks displays held on February 12th, 16th, and 24th.
