Non-gaming visitor spending in Macau reached MOP20.35 billion ($2.54 billion) in the first quarter of 2024, a 35.9 percent increase year-on-year and a 20.2 percent rise compared to the same period in 2019, before the pandemic.
According to data published by the SAR authorities, the total spending of overnight visitors amounted to MOP16.43 billion ($2.05 billion), a 33.1 percent year-on-year increase, while same-day visitors spent MOP3.92 billion ($490 million), up by 48.5 percent year-on-year.
Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng announced recently that Macau’s gaming industry accounted for just 36.2 percent of the Special Administrative Region’s (SAR) gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, a figure aligning with the government’s economic diversification targets.
The per-capita spending of visitors was MOP2,293 ($286) in the first quarter, representing a 40.3 percent increase from the same quarter of 2019. However, this figure reflects a 24.3 percent year-on-year decline due to a high base of comparison, as visitor demand surged in early 2023 following the revival of economic activity.
The per-capita spending of overnight visitors fell by 14.0 percent to MOP4,024 ($503), and same-day visitors saw a 28.4 percent drop to MOP817 ($102) year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024.

Analyzing visitor spending by source, mainland Chinese visitors spent an average of MOP2,665 ($333) per capita, a 31.6 percent decrease year-on-year. Visitors from Hong Kong spent MOP1,071 ($134) per capita, down 14.4 percent, while those from Taiwan increased their spending by 10.6 percent to MOP2,040 ($255).
Compared to the first quarter of 2019, per-capita spending of visitors from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan rose by 44.1 percent, 19 percent, and 39.8 percent respectively.
Additionally, visitors from Singapore (MOP2,556/$320), South Korea (MOP2,452/$307), Thailand (MOP2,365/$297), Japan (MOP1,964 /$246), and Malaysia (MOP1,821/$228) also showed various degrees of growth in spending.
In terms of expense types, visitors primarily spent on shopping, which accounted for 48 percent of the total expenditure in the first quarter, followed by accommodation (23.3 percent) and food & beverages (20.9 percent).
When analyzed by the main purpose of visit, the per-capita spending of visitors coming to Macau for vacation was MOP2,798 ($350), a 27.3 percent year-on-year decrease. Shopping-focused visitors spent MOP2,539 ($317) per capita, a 2 percent drop.
In contrast, visitors attending performances or competitions spent MOP5,877 ($735) per capita, a significant increase of 106.3 percent, and those attending MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events spent MOP5,148 ($644), up 18.2 percent year-on-year.