Macau’s travel agencies saw their revenues climb in 2024 on the back of a recovery in tourism, with package tour and ticketing services driving growth, official data show.
The city counted 183 travel agencies last year, with total receipts rising 7.5 percent year-on-year to MOP5.44 billion ($670 million), the city’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) said. Expenditure increased 5.6 percent to MOP5.08 billion ($626 million), leaving the sector with a gross surplus of MOP371 million ($46 million), up 43.6 percent yearly.
Package tour receipts surged 33.3 percent to MOP1.15 billion ($142 million), boosted by more inbound visitors. Passenger transport ticketing income grew 27.4 percent to MOP1.13 billion ($139 million), while coach rentals with drivers rose nearly 20 percent to MOP1.36 billion ($168 million).
On the cost side, purchases of goods, services and commissions fell 4.8 percent to MOP3.31 billion ($408 million). Spending on room reservations plunged 35.1 percent to MOP1.09 billion ($134 million) as that line of business shrank.
In contrast, outlay on passenger ticketing jumped almost 30 percent to MOP1.08 billion ($133 million), while package tour expenses increased 16.8 percent to MOP807 million ($99 million).
Operating costs climbed 29.4 percent to MOP1.04 billion ($128 million), and staff compensation jumped 37.8 percent to MOP726 million ($90 million), as agencies expanded their fleets and hired more drivers, the bureau said.
Macau is preparing to receive around 1.2 million visitors during the upcoming National Day Golden Week, with daily arrivals projected to average 150,000, according to Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).
If Macau can avoid further typhoon-related disruptions this year, it hopes to break new tourism and GGR records.
