Mainland’s Golden Week break concludes with record visitor arrivals in Macau

The mainland’s eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival Golden Week break concluded yesterday, with Macau attracting over 1.05 million visitors, exceeding both last year’s figures and pre-pandemic levels from 2019, due to government measures designed to draw tourists.

However, the festive atmosphere varied across the region, with some areas flourishing while others faced challenges.

According to Macau authorities, the region welcomed 1.055 million visitors over the past seven days, despite the approaching Typhoon Matmo on Sunday, resulting in an average of 150,000 daily arrivals, a 7.4% increase compared to the same period last year.

Mainland Chinese visitors accounted for an average of 125,000 daily, while visitors from Hong Kong averaged 15,000 per day.

The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) reported that last Saturday marked the peak arrival day, with 191,000 visitors entering Macau.

During the first seven days of the Golden Week holiday, total visitor arrivals surpassed 1.05 million, averaging 150,000 daily arrivals, which exceeded last year’s nearly one million arrivals and matched pre-pandemic levels from the 2019 Golden Week holiday, both of which were just seven days long – one day fewer than this year – when visitor numbers topped 980,000.

Media outlets had previously indicated that this momentum could lead to a new record for visitor numbers during the National Day holiday period.

However, this figure fell short of the Public Security Police Force’s (PSP) projected total of 1.2 million visitors over the eight-day period.

Two extremes in business performance

Prior to the long holiday, Macau authorities, in collaboration with several associations, including the Industry & Commerce Federation of Macau Central & Southern District and the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macau, established temporary pedestrian zones in Taipa’s Old Village and Macau’s Rua de Nossa Senhora do Amparo.

These measures aimed to accommodate the surge in passenger traffic during the National Day holiday and enhance the travel experience for both residents and visitors, fostering a more comfortable and safer environment in these popular areas.

The pedestrian zone activities concluded on Tuesday, and summarizing the event’s outcomes, Iun Ioc Va, president of the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macau, shared insights with the Times regarding business conditions in Taipa.

He stated, “Visitors generally responded positively to the activities, finding the environment more comfortable and noting a positive impact on the commercial atmosphere.”

Iun also cited data indicating that visitor flow was comparable to the May Day holiday period, with a slight increase. He emphasized, “Feedback from merchants in the old district showed business growth, particularly as tourists are spending more time in the area, creating additional opportunities for businesses.”

He added that although attendance dipped on certain days due to weather conditions, the overall number of participants exceeded 35,000. He emphasized, “It met our expectations.”

The temporary pedestrian zone was established in Old Taipa Village alongside a music festival at the former site of the Iec Long Firecracker Factory.

Iun highlighted that these events particularly attracted young Gen Z visitors, remarking, “The results were quite positive.” He noted that the Old Village area of Taipa experienced substantial visitor numbers, with family tourists and snack enthusiasts being especially prominent.

He emphasized that such events not only effectively boost business for local enterprises but also enhance the overall commercial atmosphere. He believes they play a crucial role in promoting the area’s business environment, contributing to a vibrant and engaging experience for all visitors.

For seven consecutive days, Taipa maintained a lively atmosphere. However, another industry and commerce association appears to have a different perspective.

As reported by the Macao Daily News, Wong Kin Chong, president of the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, expressed concerns about the lackluster business performance in the district during the National Day holiday.

He pointed out that the area’s economy largely depends on local consumer support.

While Sanrio-themed photo spots and festive events attracted crowds to the area, they did not translate into significant business growth and struggled to generate lasting momentum. Wong highlighted that areas like Cotai and the city’s central district experienced robust foot traffic, contrasting sharply with the relatively quiet atmosphere in older districts. Yuki Lei