Macau braces for surge in mainland visitors over May Day holiday

The hotel and tourism industry expects occupancy rates to remain stable at high levels during the mainland Chinese five-day May Day holiday that begins Friday, with the Area Development Center anticipating that its events in the Barra revitalization area from May 1 to 3 will attract around 10,000 visitors.

The May Day holiday is expected to bring a surge in visitor traffic, with Macau’s hotel booking rates rising steadily during the period, industry representative Cheong Kin Chung was quoted as saying by public broadcaster TDM yesterday.

Cheong serves as chairman of the Macau Hoteliers & Innkeepers Association and president of the Association of Macao Tourist Agents, among other industry roles.

Reportedly, the industry expects overall passenger traffic during the upcoming holiday season to reach or even exceed pre-pandemic levels, with significant growth in both total inbound travelers and daily passenger volumes, according to Cheong.

Travel patterns are becoming more diverse and optimized, he added, with itineraries now incorporating Hengqin and other destinations within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.

Cheong reportedly said that the hotel and tourism industries are fully prepared to handle the surge in visitors during the May Day holiday. In an interview with TDM, he mentioned measures such as bringing cultural and tourism activities to distinctive local communities, thereby boosting the economic development of local shops, restaurants, and cultural and creative industries.

Notably, the Barra area will host the “Barra Slow Living Festival” from May 1 to 3, marking the first major event since the establishment of the District Development Center. The three-day tea-themed event is expected to attract 10,000 visitors, featuring tea and intangible cultural heritage markets, exhibitions, tea-tasting, food sampling, and performances held in two bamboo pavilions incorporating modern design.

Over 100 organizations are participating, including more than 60 exhibitors at the markets, with approximately 40% being local merchants. Representatives emphasized the center’s commitment to strengthening connections between districts by combining consumer discounts and supporting measures to drive foot traffic.

The center will also host a cocktail market in the Rua da Felicidade revitalization area in May.

As noted, district development plans and projects are steadily moving forward, with World Cup support events scheduled for the summer, from June to July, in Lai Chi Vun Shipyards, Iec Long Fireworks Factory, and the Barra area – coupled with district consumption discounts – to channel visitors into local neighborhoods on a long-term basis. Meanwhile, road and power infrastructure in the districts will also be upgraded.

“This ensures that the environment and facilities can be improved over the long term, not only serving tourists but also providing convenience for local residents,” one representative noted.