Visitor spending plunges compared to last year

The latest figures from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) show that inbound visitors last quarter spent 24.7 percent less than they did in the equivalent period last year, amounting to MOP12.25 billion in total.
The decline in outgoings, exclusive of gaming expenditure, also suggests an 8.3 percent dip from MOP 13.36 billion in the first quarter of the year. Overnight tourists’ spending reached MOP9.58 billion, which slid by 30.4 percent year on year, while that of same-day visitors spiked 7.3 percent to MOP2.67 billion.
As suggested by the statistics, shopping dominates visitors’ spending, followed by accommodation and food and beverages. Local food, cosmetics and perfume remain the most desirable among buyers. Their satisfaction about local facilities, tourist attractions and services grew quarter to quarter, yet fell when it came to transport service.
The average spending for individuals was MOP1,668, which slipped 22.1 percent from that of last year, or 7.4 percent quarter to quarter. Mainland Chinese visitors’ spending fell by 24.3 percent year-on-year to MOP 2,012, while similar falls were also recorded among Singaporean, Japanese and Malaysian tourists. The data also show that shoppers from Taiwan and Hong Kong likewise spent less on average.
The region only saw a hike in spending by tourists from the United Kingdom, with a 3.5 percent year-on-year increase registered.