Holiday arrival growth strengthens tourism outlook, industry says

[Photo Lynzy Valles]

China Travel Service (Macao) Limited chairman Zhang Jianzhong said the surge in visitor arrivals during the Spring Festival holiday has boosted industry confidence amid strong tourism performance.

In an interview with the public broadcaster TDM, Zhang said hotel occupancy in Macau reached record levels during the Lunar New Year period, reflecting robust travel demand.

Hotels in Macau recorded occupancy rates above 95% across the nine-day holiday from January 15–23.

The festival attracted 1.554 million visitors, averaging 173,000 per day, the highest daily average since records began. Occupancy peaked at 99.2% on January 20, the fourth day of celebrations.

Zhang cautioned that global economic uncertainty could continue to weigh on per capita tourist spending, presenting challenges for the sector. He urged the industry to adopt strategic responses and strengthen Macau’s positioning as a regional hub for conventions, exhibitions, cultural entertainment, and sports events.

To improve competitiveness, Zhang suggested expanding travel packages into integrated experiences that combine accommodation with tourism, MICE activities, and arts and sports events. He also called for more budget hotel options to attract wider market segments and promote economic returns.

In addition, Zhang advocated technological upgrades, including AI customer service systems and smart room management, to enhance hotel operations.