Macau Peninsula hotels saw weaker occupancy during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, with some properties recording levels of about 80 percent as heavy rain affected travel demand, while increased room supply and competition from Zhuhai and Hengqin continued to weigh on the broader market.
Macau Hotel Association president Wong Suk Yan said hotels around local communities recorded lower occupancy than in the same period last year, according to local media outlet Macao Daily Times. However, she expects occupancy at some Macau Peninsula hotels to reach about 90 percent during the upcoming summer holiday season, supported by promotional offers aimed at encouraging longer visitor stays.
Wong said the local hotel market has been affected by the opening of several new hotels, which has continued to expand room supply. At the same time, changing visitor travel patterns have led more tourists to choose hotels in Zhuhai and Hengqin, diverting some demand away from Macau.
Hotels in areas such as NAPE and the old districts of the Macau Peninsula have been more affected. Wong said occupancy in these areas stood at about 80 percent in the first half of the year, while room rates fell by 5 percent to 6 percent year-on-year. Higher-end hotels in Cotai were less affected and maintained more stable occupancy levels.
Mainland China remains the main source of hotel guests. Short-haul travelers from Zhuhai, Hengqin and other mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area account for nearly 40 percent of guests, while longer-distance mainland visitors make up about 20 percent. Among international markets, South Korea is currently the largest source, followed by visitors from places including the Philippines.
Wong said operators are preparing summer packages, including lower rates for second and third nights and food-and-beverage offers, to attract family travelers and encourage longer stays. The industry also plans to join tourism promotion activities in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia in August to expand Southeast Asian source markets.
She also called for more concerts, sports events and other activities in community areas to draw visitors beyond major tourism districts and extend their time in Macau.
