Hotel insiders anticipate occupancy rates to top 90% this Christmas

As Christmas approaches, hotel insiders expect December occupancy rates to exceed 90%, as international travelers increasingly prioritize overseas trips during the holiday season.

As cited in a report by the Macao Daily News, Wong Suk Yan, president of the Macau Hotel Association, said that the overall hotel occupancy rate on the Macau Peninsula has reached 50%.

However, she noted that the Cotai Strip remains a major tourist hub with high occupancy rates, while hotels on the Macau peninsula lag far behind, with occupancy levels approximately half that of those on the Cotai Strip.

Wong highlighted the proactive efforts of the city’s authorities, citing large-scale events over the past year, such as concerts and sports competitions, which have successfully attracted numerous visitors and boosted the hotel industry.

She expressed optimism that the government will extend tourism resources to local communities, bringing events like the 3×3 basketball tournament and concerts held at the Ruins of St. Paul’s to the Tap Seac area and investing in large-scale projects in the peninsula’s older neighborhoods.

“Promoting balanced tourism development across all districts has become an industry consensus,” she stated.

Wong disclosed plans for hotels in the peninsula’s old quarters to create an attractions map showcasing the historical depth, unique niche attractions, and rich Portuguese cultural characteristics of Macau’s historic city center.

The report noted that this initiative aims to provide travelers with a fuller experience of Macau’s charm, with hopes that the project will be government-led.

According to the report, the hotel industry’s outlook for next year will focus on consolidating its existing mainland customer base while prioritizing international markets, particularly strengthening the Southeast Asian market and actively developing other overseas opportunities.