MGTO pins hopes on local attractions as summer growth fails to lift international arrivals

[Photo: Ricaela Diputado]

Macau’s summer tourist season has shown steady growth through July and early August, though international visitor numbers have remained flat, falling short of government expectations, according to the deputy director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).

Cheng Wai Tong, deputy director of the MGTO, told reporters on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum 2026 Asia on Aug. 15 that overall visitor arrivals for July rose by approximately 2% year-on-year, while the first half of August recorded a more encouraging 10% increase.

Despite the uptick in total numbers, international arrivals have stagnated compared with the same period last year, a performance that Cheng attributed to external influences, including geopolitical uncertainties, elevated fuel prices, and reduced flight capacities as airlines scale back routes.

South Korea, historically Macau’s largest international source market, has seen softer outbound demand amid domestic economic volatility, Cheng noted.

In response, the MGTO is stepping up collaborative efforts with carriers and online travel platforms to revive international visitor flows, though he stopped short of providing a timeline for when improvements might materialise.

Busy cultural calendar ahead

Looking to the second half of the year, Cheng described the lineup of cultural and tourism events as equally vibrant, with a greater number of activities scheduled than in the first six months.

From September through December, the city will host the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, National Day celebrations, the Macau Grand Prix, the Macau Food Festival, and the Light Festival, among other events. The MGTO will coordinate external promotions for all government-organised activities to sustain market momentum.

Community-focused initiatives

To channel visitor spending into local neighbourhoods, the authorities are continuing to operate the Tourism and “Leisure” Buses while improving transport access.

The MGTO is also exploring community-specific assets, such as distinctive culinary offerings in the Northern District.

In collaboration with the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) and the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), the office is developing new check-in installations and cultural tourism IP projects, with implementation targeted for the second half of the year.

The goal, Cheng said, is to steer tourists beyond attractions like the Ruins of St. Paul’s and into lesser-visited districts.

Macau recently added 28 items to its intangible cultural heritage inventory, including a range of local street foods such as pork chop buns and cold cakes, which are found across various neighborhoods.

Cheng revealed that the MGTO plans to integrate these community-based heritage eateries into promotional campaigns to reinforce Macau’s designation as a UNESCO “Creative City of Gastronomy.”

When asked about the feasibility of co-branded check-in initiatives combining heritage food with cultural IP, Cheng confirmed that the concept is being explored. He said related partnership plans are still in the planning stage, with installations and activities to be prioritized along the Tourism and “Leisure” Buses routes. Further details, he added, will be announced at an appropriate time.