Macao is bracing itself for a massive influx of tourists during the upcoming National Day Golden Week, which runs from October 1st to 7th, 2024. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is predicting an average of 100,000 visitors per day, aiming to surpass last year’s tourist numbers. This seven-day period is considered one of the busiest tourism seasons in Macao, attracting both local and international travelers eager to experience the city’s vibrant culture and attractions.
Golden Week holds immense significance for tourism in mainland China and Macao, ranking as the third most important tourism period after the Spring Festival and May Day Golden Week. The travel and tourism sector in Macao is eagerly awaiting this holiday, anticipating a significant surge in visitor arrivals and revenue generation.
These Golden Week holidays are not just crucial for tourism in Macao but also serve as a litmus test for the industry’s recovery from the pandemic’s travel disruptions. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of MGTO, bases the projected 100,000 visitors per day on the remarkable success Macao achieved in 2023. While official statistics for this year’s visitor numbers are yet to be compiled, the projections remain optimistic.
Senna Fernandes believes the fireworks display, coinciding with the holiday period, will attract even more tourists to Macao. She stated, “This year’s National Day Golden Week will be marked by an international fireworks display, which is expected to attract more tourists to Macao. We hope the holiday will bring in an average of 100,000 visitors daily.”
The summer months of July and August in 2023 proved to be a banner period for Macao tourism, welcoming 3.66 million visitors in August alone, marking a remarkable 13% increase from the same period in 2022. This surge in visitor numbers highlights the city’s post-pandemic appeal, driven by its diverse cultural activities, casino attractions, and increased accommodation capacity. In August 2023, Macao recorded a daily average of 118,000 visitors, slightly exceeding pre-pandemic levels of 2019, when daily visitor arrivals averaged around 117,000.
The successful summer holidays, coupled with Macao’s ability to manage large influxes of visitors, suggests that the city is well-positioned to exceed the forecasted 100,000 daily visitors during Golden Week. During the summer holiday months of July and August 2023, Macao registered nearly 6.685 million visitor arrivals, achieving a combined daily average of 108,000 visitors. This marked a significant recovery for Macao’s tourism sector, demonstrating the city’s enduring appeal and its ability to attract a substantial number of tourists in a competitive regional market.
Senna Fernandes described the summer results as “very encouraging,” and with those figures in mind, the tourism office believes that Golden Week 2024 will likely be even more successful, particularly with the added cultural attractions like the fireworks display. Looking back at National Day Golden Week 2023, Macao recorded a total of 931,000 visitor arrivals over the eight-day holiday, from September 29th to October 6th. This amounted to a daily average of 116,000 visitors, reflecting the strong interest in Macao during this peak tourism period.
The MGTO believes that the forecast of 100,000 daily visitors for 2024 is somewhat conservative, considering last year’s numbers. The Macao travel industry is hopeful that with a shorter seven-day Golden Week this year, the city could surpass even 116,000 daily visitors, making 2024 a record-breaking year for tourism.
A significant draw for tourists during Golden Week 2024 will be the international fireworks display scheduled throughout the week. Macao has always been renowned for its elaborate celebrations during major holidays, and the inclusion of an internationally renowned fireworks show is anticipated to further boost visitor interest. Fireworks displays have historically been crowd-pullers in Macao, with tourists flocking to the city to witness these large-scale events that illuminate the night sky over the Macao Peninsula. This year’s event promises to be a spectacular visual experience, attracting tourists not only from mainland China but also from neighboring regions and beyond.
With Macao’s visitor numbers steadily increasing throughout 2023, the MGTO and the city’s travel trade are optimistic about what National Day Golden Week 2024 will bring. The positive results from this year’s summer holidays, which outperformed even pre-pandemic years in some areas, suggest that Macao is well on its way to a complete tourism recovery. Tourism officials are eager to highlight Macao’s resilience and appeal as a top-tier destination.
The city continues to attract tourists with its luxurious hotels, world-class casinos, cultural landmarks, and now, its large-scale holiday events like the international fireworks display. For Macao’s travel industry, the ability to manage and capitalize on these peak periods will be crucial as the sector navigates the challenges of increased competition from other tourism-heavy destinations across Asia. With a solid infrastructure in place and growing interest in Macao’s unique offerings, the city is poised to see a significant boost during Golden Week 2024.
As Macao prepares for National Day Golden Week 2024, the outlook remains bright for the city’s tourism industry. With forecasts suggesting 100,000 visitors per day, and possibly exceeding that number, the week promises to be a high point for the city’s travel sector. Coupled with large-scale attractions like the international fireworks display, Macao is set to welcome tourists in droves, further boosting its economy and solidifying its position as a premier travel destination in Asia. As Senna Fernandes put it, “We hope that the National Day Golden Week will bring in an average of 100,000 visitors per day, making it a key moment in our tourism calendar.” With the entire travel industry poised to benefit, the next Golden Week could be one for the record books.
