UnionPay reports 30% rise in Macau cardholders’ online spending

Online transaction volume on UnionPay credit cards issued in Macau rose more than 30% in the first eight months of the year, with mainland China accounting for almost half of digital spending and hotel consumption benefiting from the shift toward app-based travel and payment services.

Li Zhaofeng, vice president for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan at UnionPay International, said online payments accounted for more than 40% of the total transaction volume of UnionPay credit cards issued in Macau, reflecting the increasing use of digital channels among local residents when purchasing goods and services.

Speaking at a UnionPay International presentation in Macau on Thursday on consumption and payment trends, Li said online spending in mainland China rose about 50% year over year.

He added that Guangdong remained the principal mainland destination for Macau cardholders, accounting for more than 60% of their offline spending there, with Zhuhai emerging as the most frequently used destination by Macau cardholders.

For overseas travel, Japan and South Korea accounted for more than 60% of transactions outside mainland China and Hong Kong, Li said. Both markets recorded double-digit growth, pointing to stronger outbound travel demand and spending on accommodation, dining and other tourism services.

Li said retail spending using locally issued UnionPay cards had fallen by a low single-digit percentage in recent months, although total transaction volume had increased, supported by online payments. He said the apparent pressure on local retail may be less severe than UnionPay data suggests because some purchases are processed through other payment networks.

UnionPay’s figures also showed that mainland visitor spending in Macau was becoming more promotion-driven. Transactions in settings offering discounts or other incentives recorded double-digit growth, while those without promotions declined.

The company said it would introduce marketing campaigns aimed at UnionPay cardholders from mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong, using incentives to support spending across retail, dining, hotels and tourism services.